Races at Venetucci Farms great way to cap Colorado Springs Grand Prix of Running season
The Colorado Springs Grand Prix of Running couldn’t end the season at a better time or in a better way. More than 400 runners flocked to Venetucci Farm off Highway 85 for the Great Pumpkin Races, a 5K and 10K that goes through a working farm in Colorado Springs, in the final leg of the series.
The race atmosphere is one certainly aware of the seasonal change as men, women and children race though farmland and pumpkin patches in an event where proceeds go to the Benefit Venetucci children’s program.
“It’s fun because, look, you’re on a farm,” Pikes Peak Community Foundation director of community services Jamie Brown said. “You get to run by the animals and get a closer look and there’s no other chance to do that.
The race is mostly built around a family atmosphere and gives parents the opportunity to bring their kids to an event they will likely rarely experience through their childhood.
“If you look at the families’ faces, they light up when they get to interact with the ducks and the other animals,” PPCF communication manager Kate Ring said. “They get to run through the pumpkin patches and see how they’re grown and see how it’s different than growing something in their own backyard.”
Adam Rich of Colorado Springs was the first to cross the finish line for either field, finishing his 5K run in 16:23, breaking the course record by 15 seconds, according to race officials. Rich tries to participate in several Grand Prix events and ran the Oktoberfest 8K at Security Service Field on Sept. 27, thinking it would be his last event for the year.
“My kids are here and they’re going to do the kids’ run so they can get their pumpkins,” Rich said. “Originally I wasn’t going to run this year, but my son really wanted to come run and get a pumpkin so I figured I would run too.”
For others, the race was more than just a fun, family-organized event on a working farm. For 10K winner Josiah Vaoenzuela, it was the start of his trek to back to the U.S. Olympic trials. Vaoenzuela was set to take a cross country scholarship at Garden City Community College two years ago, but was forced to withdraw to care for his mom, who had broken her leg.
This was Vaoenzuela’s first competitive race since withdrawing. He is working to walk-on at UCCS and get back to the Olympic trials, where he missed the cut by three seconds in his last attempt.
“It was my first race back and I’m still getting used to the race atmosphere,” Vaoenzuela said. “It’s like getting introduced to a new sport all over again, I’ve only been training for two weeks for this race. It felt great with the fresh air and everything, like back home in New Mexico where my aunt has a farm.”
Katie Baker on the women’s 10K and Paige Embaugh won the 5K.
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Karen Matheny places 1st in the 30-39 female age division for the Great Pumpkin 10K Race held at Venetucci Farm with a time of 46:28 Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
13 year old Paige Embaugh wins the overall female category for the Great Pumpkin 5K Race at Venetucci Farm with a time of 22:37 Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Runner Adam Rich wins the Great Pumpkin 5K Race at Venetucci Farm with a New Record time of 16:23 Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Cody Hill runs the Great Pumpkin 5K Race at Venetucci Farm with a time of 18:03 Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Runner Karin Lundin completes the Great Pumpkin 5K Race held at Venetucci Farm with a time of 23:09 Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
A 10K runner gives the thumbs-up during the Great Pumpkin Race held at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney
Great Pumpkin 5/10K Race at Venetucci Farm Saturday October 4, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney