ACE presents the 2007 La Sportiva Rattlesnake Ramble Race Results
Eldorado Canyon State Park, September 15, 2007 - The 3rd annual La Sportiva Rattlesnake Ramble trail race went off this morning in Eldorado Canyon State Park. A record number of 63 finishers (70 signed up, but 7 did not start). With defending champion Andy Ames injured and taking the race easy, the race of front quickly became a battle between 2005 champion and course record-holder Bryan Dayton and national champion trail runner Dave Mackey. Mackey took the lead once the race turned down the Fowler Trail and after the first turn-around only Dayton was on his heels. Mackey, knowing the awesome foot-speed of Dayton, turned the screws on the crux climb up the Eldorado Trail. He broke Dayton and went on to win the race by over a minute. Due to a slight error in the location of the first turn-around the course was about 15 seconds longer than normal and that was the difference, as Mackey missed the course record by ten seconds. Forty seconds back was third place finisher Dan Meehan from Superior.
The women's field was loaded as well. World-class trail runner Lisa Goldsmith toed the line and there was never any doubt. Lisa went on to shatter the course record and win by over a minute and a half in 34:09. First-time rambler Heather Swallow also put in a dominating performance in taking second place, nearly two minutes up on third place. In third was two-time defending champion Lisa Ledet who barely held off road-running specialist Janet Rooney in an exciting high-speed finish down the Eldorado Canyon Road.
In the kids division, 9-nine-old running prodigy Derek Wright made a mark with his trail running debut. The road running star was able to use his phenomenal speed on the final road section and bury all his competitors in winning the 19-and-under division. Asked later why he pushed so hard down the road, he responded, "I didn't want that guy behind me to catch me!" Clearly he has the racers mentality.
The weather was perfect and everyone had a great time.
Thanks to everyone for making this such a great experience for me. I love runners, racers, and competition and the group of people that do this race are incredible. I'm excited to make next year's race bigger and better. More prizes, more food, and more race shirts - one for everyone and all the volunteers.
Special thanks to La Sportiva which is a great local company that does more for trail running than any other company and will do even more next year. Also, Backcountry.com, Verve, Kelty, Fleet Feet, GoLite, and the Access Fund. Also a special thanks to Rocky Mountain Rescue and their crew that have always provided medical and rescue support. Once again, though, we've had no injuries or mishaps in this race.
Thanks to all of you,
Bill Wright
Race Director Rattlesnake Ramble
Vice President Action Committee for Eldorado
