Earth Day 5k/10k Race Re-Cap
Would it be Earth Day without the participation of Mother Nature?
Earth Day has always been close to our hearts at Green Events. So we were ecstatic to lock in the April date for this year and future years for the race to be held on or near Earth Day. And with that, after 44 years, the long-running Loveland Classic 5k/10k races re-branded to become the Earth Day 5k/10k in Loveland CO. The race has been held in April for several years but was never specifically linked to Earth Day, and while we love to recognize Earth Day every day of the year, we are excited to have an actual Earth Day race. What better way to recognize the day than by getting outdoors and celebrating nature and raising awareness on behalf of the environment.
Like most Earth Days in Colorado, Mother Nature likes to be front and center reminding us with a varying forecast and a multitude of conditions that there is no bad weather, only the wrong gear. In the last 6 years we’ve enjoyed several years of rain, the high winds of last year, and one sunny day. So, fittingly we were not surprised with the spring snow that moved in overnight before the race.
The snow was not a deterrent for the participants, and we saw everything from tank tops to flannel shirts on the course. For many this was perfect running weather with the snow quickly melting and not accumulating or freezing on the trail, and cool temps for fast performances. The women were crushing it with five finishing in the top ten overall of the 5k (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 10th), three in the top 10 overall of the 10k. (3rd, 6th, and 7th) and first and third overall wins in the Broken 15k. Also, impressive showing from the Masters (40+ years) runners claiming seven wins in the overall award categories.
| 5k Overall Male | Time | Ave Pace | Age | Place Gender | Place Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Christopher Berven |
18:21 |
5:55 |
41 |
1st |
1st |
|
Jason Sullivan |
19:29 |
6:17 |
41 |
2nd |
5th |
|
Nick Wixom |
20:17 |
6:32 |
30 |
3rd |
7th |
| 5k Overall Female | Time | Ave Pace | Age | Place Gender | Place Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AnnMarie Kirkpatrick |
18:38 |
6:00 |
41 |
1st |
2nd |
|
Nicole Esplin |
18:43 |
6:02 |
31 |
2nd |
3rd |
|
Taylor Stott |
18:48 |
6:03 |
30 |
3rd |
4th |
| 10k Overall Male | Time | Ave Pace | Age | Place Gender | Place Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Christopher Wyburn-Powell |
36:48 |
5:56 |
27 |
1st |
1st |
|
Silas Thompson |
37:01 |
5:58 |
29 |
2nd |
2nd |
|
Chris Hall |
39:37 |
6:23 |
41 |
3rd |
4th |
| 10k Overall Female | Time | Ave Pace | Age | Place Gender | Place Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nicole Esplin |
38:02 |
6:08 |
31 |
1st |
3rd |
|
Valerie Snyder |
42:56 |
6:55 |
31 |
2nd |
6th |
|
Laura Harger |
43:15 |
6:58 |
45 |
3rd |
7th |
| Broken 15k Male | Time | Ave Pace | Age | Place Gender | Place Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chris Hall |
59:55 |
6:26 |
41 |
1st |
2nd |
|
Eric Vitcenda |
1:07:10 |
7:12 |
59 |
2nd |
4th |
|
Daniel Marten |
1:07:20 |
7:13 |
38 |
3rd |
5th |
| Broken 15k Female | Time | Ave Pace | Age | Place Gender | Place Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nicole Esplin |
56:45 |
6:05 |
31 |
1st |
1st |
|
Valerie Snyder |
1:04:50 |
6:57 |
31 |
2nd |
3rd |
|
Cassandra Licon |
1:14:46 |
8:01 |
39 |
3rd |
8th |
See full results + overall and age group category winners here 2023 Earth Day Results
Unfortunately, we don’t have all their names, ages, and finish times but there were awards for the top three dog winners in the 5k and 10k who took home prizes courtesy of Poudre Pet and Feed Supply. Despite the weather, it was a good turnout with 119 finishers of the 10k, 274 finishers in the 5k, 34 who completed both races for the Broken 15k, and a bunch of happy kids in the 1-Mile.
The beneficiary of the event is Thompson Education Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides educational opportunities for Thompson School District students and teachers.
Sponsors:
These events could not happen without the support of sponsors. If you love local running, please make sure to notice the event sponsors and make it a point to shop their stores, use their services, or give them a shout out or thank you. By sponsoring events these businesses are putting people over profits and specifically showing their support of the running community. We are so grateful for their involvement.
Presenting Sponsors
Centerra is the region’s favorite place for dining, shopping, and entertainment. But it’s also home to some of the most beautifully situated new homes in all of Northern Colorado.
Welcome to Centerra, a master-planned community in Loveland, Colorado located on both sides of I-25 off Hwy. 34 where you can play, shop, dine, work, live and shine.
SCHEELS is a destination sporting goods store with 30 locations in the U.S.A..
Fuel your passion in running, fitness, and sports.
Platinum Sponsors
Foothills Credit Union is a local not-for-profit full service financial institution here to help with any of your banking needs!
Welcome to the High Plains, where the sun shines more than 300 days each year and the passing clouds release barely enough water to support life. Yet somehow, plants, animals, and people thrive and coexist here. HPEC manages and maintains the trails and natural areas around the lakes!
Gold Sponsors
With a knowledgeable and caring staff and hometown service, Poudre Pet & Feed Supply has the best selection of natural pet food and supplies in Northern Colorado. Six store locations in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Windsor and free local delivery!
Silver Sponsors
Did you know that at least 50 percent of runners get hurt each year?! It might seem that getting injured and being sidelined from training is just part of being a runner, but it doesn’t have to be!
At Rebound, they want to help you achieve your running related goals in a safe and effective manner. They offer injury consults, physical therapy, and a virtual runners strength program all to keep you running pain free.
Our local specialty running retailer! Runners Roost takes pride in carrying one of the most complete lines of running and fitness shoes, apparel, gear, nutrition and accessories. If they don’t have what you need in store, they can usually order it within the week.
The Fort Collins Running Club is the largest and most active running club in the area. Members enjoy many benefits including discounts to local races, free group training programs, social get togethers, free Tortoise and Hare winter racing series, community funding and much more! All that for only $30/year membership. Join now!
Food scrap composting for Northern Colorado! You put food scraps in a green bucket, they stop by and empty it for you! They compost for you all year, returning compost in the spring and collecting bagged leaves and pumpkins in the fall. They serve everyone! Whether you live in an apartment, condo, townhome, or home, they can help you compost!
They also compost all the food waste from Green Events. Get signed up and be part of the composting club!
Signarama is a locally owned sign shop that makes all our banners and signs for the races.
With just one glance, a sign communicates volumes. Your customers will use your business’s sign to understand who you are, what you do, the caliber of your work, and more. If you need a banner, sign, vehicle graphic/wrap, or window decal contact owners Patti and Wes at Signarama to get your project started.
The University of Northern Colorado’s Extended Campus makes it possible for you to pursue your career goals through outstanding coursework in highly regarded programs, mentored by faculty who have professional field experience.
Checkout our upcoming races!
