2023 Fall Equinox Recap

2023 Fall Equinox Race Recap

Nestled amidst the hues of autumn in the Poudre Canyon, the Fall Equinox Races unfolded as a testament to true endurance. Participants from near and far gathered to embrace the challenge of the race, set against the backdrop of Colorado’s wilderness. The event featured three distinct race distances – the marathon, half marathon and 5-mile race – each presenting its unique set of trials and triumphs on a fast downhill point-to-point course. As runners made their way along the picturesque Cache La Poudre River, records were shattered, limits were pushed, and a true celebration of running took place.

This year, the Fall Equinox race saw a diverse and inclusive representation of participants, showcasing the growing community of runners and walkers. Composed of 64% female runners, 36% male runners and a wonderful 1% identifying as non-binary or preferring not to specify gender, this event emphasized inclusivity and equal participation for all. The global appeal of the race was apparent, with runners from 41 different states across the United States, as well as international representation from Canada and the Czech Republic. Additionally, an impressive turnout of 99 virtual runners added a dynamic and widespread dimension to the event, emphasizing the broad reach and accessibility of the Fall Equinox race. The combined energy and passion made the event a memorable and united celebration of running and community.

Marathon Highlights:

In the beautifully brutal marathon, runners started with 5 miles of rolling uphill ascents in the Buckhorn Canyon before starting the 20+ miles of downhill to the finish. A unique, but challenging marathon course many have come to love. Ohana Mountain Ranch, the starting point of the race, epitomizes a tranquil mountain retreat nestled within the canyon. A haven for those seeking solace in nature, the ranch offers a blend of rustic charm and modern amenities, a perfect place to calm your nerves before the onset of such a strenuous athletic endeavor. Devon Colegrove claimed the top spot, blazing through the course and besting the previous record of 2:42:00 set by Isiah Remington in 2022. Colegrove is both a road and trail runner who lives in Longmont. With a remarkable time of 2:41:11, Colegrove etched his name into history. Silas Thompson and Gannon Willcutts secured the second and third positions, clocking times of 2:42:51 and 2:58:23, respectively. Among the women, Christina Couper emerged triumphant, shattering the previous course record with her stellar performance of 3:06:55, which is over 25 minutes faster than Rebecca Seward’s previous record set in 2021. Couper also secured the fourth position overall. She is used to winning races, though, as she won the 2022 Colorado Marathon. She was followed by Avery Yaros in second with a time of 3:45:06 and Katlyn Hitz in third clocking in at 3:46:24.

Half Marathon Highlights:

The all-downhill half marathon, renowned for the opportunity to chase personal records, showcased extraordinary talent. The half started at the Mishawaka, often referred to simply as “The Mish.” The Mish is an iconic music venue and restaurant perched alongside the Poudre River. With history dating back to the early 20th century, The Mish has become a beloved spot for live music and outdoor enthusiasts. For Fort Collins locals and visitors alike, there is no better place to see the magic of the Poudre River before embarking on the journey down the canyon! Esteban Trujillo led the men’s race, dominating the course with a phenomenal time of 1:07:16. After his career as an athlete at the University of Oregon, Trujillo has competed in longer road races across the country. He is currently in his last few weeks of training before the Chicago Marathon on October 8th and the Fall Equinox fell on the perfect date for him to get to test his fitness in a half marathon race- which he was pleased with! Andrew Tario was 2nd with a time of 1:08:50 and Ben Gadomski claimed the last spot on the podium with a 1:13:20. Sara Vaughn displayed exceptional prowess, breaking her own record of 1:12:02 from the previous year. Vaughn claimed the top spot among women and the third position overall, clocking an impressive 1:10:53. Vaughn is not only a local Equinox legend but a professional athlete and mom of four. She has competed in World Championship races and has the range to specialize in events from the 1500m to the marathon. Like Trujillo, the Fall Equinox Half Marathon plays an integral role in her buildup for the Chicago Marathon. Next to finish was Shelly McDonald with a time of 1:16:50 and the third woman was the popular local runner and cross country coach, Dani Cook in 1:18:55. Jess Milius, a nonbinary runner, secured victory and set our first non-binary Equinox Half Marathon course record, completing the race 2:00:40. Following behind was Maria Blair, finishing second with a time of 2:21:45. Regina Neenan claimed third place, crossing the finish line at 2:25:52.

5-Mile Highlights:

The 5-Mile proved to be a thrilling challenge, offering a unique race distance for runners to test themselves. This race starts at Gateway Natural Area, which serves as a portal to adventure and exploration in the Poudre Canyon. A nature lover’s paradise, it offers an array of hiking trails that wind through diverse ecosystems, with the Poudre River running through, offering opportunities for fishing, picnicking, and simply enjoying the sound of rushing water. As you might imagine, this serves as an enchanting starting point for the runners. Tim Hebert, exhibiting remarkable speed and determination, clinched the top position among men and set a new masters record with a time of 26:30. He is an active member of the running community, keep an eye out for his name in local results in Northern Colorado! Hebert surpassed his old record of 27:24 set in 2021. Brian Runyon was second in 26:50, Jacob Blocker following closely on his heels in a time of 27:01. Shannon Zanotelli, also a local in Fort Collins and a name you’ll see high up in results, showcased her running prowess among the women- triumphing with a time of 31:51. Stephanie Schofield came in second with a time of 34:05 and Marissa Demercurio finished closely behind in a time of 34:30. Ash Roesner emerged triumphant as a nonbinary athlete in the 5-Mile race, showcasing remarkable strength as they crossed the finish line in 1:07:29.

Marathon Results:

-Men-
1st- Devon Colegrove, 2:41:11, broke previous course record of 2:42:00 set by Isiah Remington in 2022
2nd- Silas Thompson, 2:42:51
3rd- Gannon Willcutts, 2:58:23

-Women-
1st and 4th overall- Christina Couper, 3:06:55, broke previous course record of 3:32:16 set by Rebecca Sewald in 2021
2nd- Avery Yaros, 3:45:06
3rd- Katlyn Hitz, 3:46:24

Half Marathon Results:

-Men-
1st- Esteban Trujillo, 1:07:16
2nd- Andrew Tario, 1:08:50
3rd- Ben Gadomski, 1:13:20

-Women-
1st and 3rd overall- Sara Vaughn, broke her own record from 2022 (1:12:02) and ran 1:10:53
2nd- Shelly McDonald, 1:16:50
3rd- Dani Cook, 1:18:55

5-Mile Results:

-Men-
1st- Tim Hebert, 26:30, breaking his own masters record of 27:24 from 2021
2nd- Brian Runyon, 26:50
3rd- Jacob Blocker, 27:01

-Women-
1st- Shannon Zanotelli, 31:51
2nd- Stephanie Schofield, 34:05
3rd- Marissa Demercurio, 34:30

At the Fall Equinox race, our commitment to sustainability extended to our high-quality and environmentally conscious race swag. Emphasizing our dedication to eco-friendliness, our race featured unique handmade wooden medals and awards, meticulously crafted right here in Colorado. These wooden mementos not only celebrated the achievements of our participants but also aligned with our sustainability focus, utilizing locally sourced materials. Additionally, our merch included lightweight hoodies made from premium materials, ensuring lasting comfort and durability. We consciously aimed to steer away from disposable items and these hoodies were designed to be cherished, avoiding the fate of ending up in the throw-away bin. To complement the post-race festivities, a custom pint cup was provided, encouraging the use of reusable drinkware, promoting sustainability, and allowing participants to reminisce about their memorable race experience with every sip. Together, our thoughtfully designed merchandise showcased our commitment to both quality and environmental responsibility.

The Fall Equinox Races were a true celebration of both achievement and the spirit of the season. Runners soaked in the beautiful scenery, conquered challenging downhill segments and savored the excitement of crossing the finish line. Upon completion, participants received their own Fall Equinox pint cup for their well-deserved beer. The post-race festivity featured live music by Ginger Whale, awards ceremony for each race, and a sponsor and vendor expo. Top sponsors included most of our local favorites, Jax, Rebound Sports and Physical Therapy, Odell Brewing, Crisp and Green, Brandi Broadley of The Group, Morning Fresh Dairy, Howling Cow Café, Signarama, Hydrate IV Bar, Compost Queen, Runners Roost, Poudre Pet and Feed, The Mishawaka, and the Fort Collins Running Club.

We look forward to the Fall Equinox event all year as the signature event of Green Events. It is where everything started 11 years ago and we are so thankful for all the years, all the runners, all the volunteers, and all the sponsors who come together every year to enjoy and celebrate the Fall Equinox races with us. Thank You!

The 2023 Fall Equinox Beneficiaries:

Your participation in the Fall Equinox Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5 Mile event raises funds for the following local organizations:

Poudre Canyon Volunteer Fire Department
Ohana Mountain Ranch flood recovry
Cache la Poudre Middle School
Fossil Ridge, Poudre, & Rocky Mountain High School Cross Country Teams
Poudre & Rocky Mountain High School Wrestling Teams
Colorado State University Society of Women Engineering
Save the Poudre
Lower Poudre Canyon Association

Thank you to all the sponsors who generously support local events.

Our sponsors are businesses we frequent, shop, and use regularly and we are proud to have them as Green Events partners because we personally know the great business they run and contributions they make to our community. Please support our local sponsors, give them a thank you when you shop there, and continue the circle of support.