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Training for summer adventures, 50-year-old dominates Winter Series Short-Course race

Women's short-course (4 miles) winner Sheila Geere.

RESULTS: Where did you finish? We have it in Finish Line Index
PHOTOS: Gallery 1 ** Gallery 2
VIDEO: Start of the long-course race ** Interview with Sheila Geere


Though she has the talent to compete in bigger races, 50-year-old Sheila Geere said she runs to stay in shape for summer fun.

"I kind of live for backpacking, so I do this just to get in shape," she said. "A couple of years ago I did a solo hike on the Colorado Trail. I think doing alternative things like that really keeps you fit. I really run so that I can go out and play in the summer in the woods."

Geere won for the second time in the Winter Series Short-Course races on Saturday, doesn't look a day over 25. Light and quick afoot, she pushes the men's lead pack every time she races. She finished in 26 minutes, 44 seconds, about a minute ahead of 18-year-old Hannah McIntyre (27:42.) Crystal Goecker, the 2013 Fall Series champion, was third in (27:55.)About 600 runners galloped in a bright January sun in the second race of the Winter Series. They tasted a tough new course in Bear Creek Park that included plenty of hills. Geere was familiar with the route and she expected it to be painful.

"I started off a lot slower than usual cause I live up the hill and I know the course. I actually had to stop and walk once to catch my breath," Geere said. "But I'm really happy with my time today. It was a little bit under 7-minute pace, and for as little as I run I'm happy about that."

James Burns won again in the men's short-course race, through he had reservations beforehand. He often catches a rest day before racing, but said he trained hard all week. But once the adrenaline started pumping, it was business as usual.

Burns, a lanky 25-year-old who won the short-course series in 2013, finished in 20:59. He enjoyed the new course.

"I like this better than the El Pomar course," he said. The hills are tough, but you have to have fun, enjoy it and push yourself."

Luke Dakin, 23, finished second in 21:53, a few strides ahead of Nick Baca.

In the 8-mile long-course race, Stephanie Wurtz won for the second time in as many starts. She clocked 53:28. Shannon Meredith was second in 54:06, followed by Amanda Ewing (53:34).

The men's long-course race turned out to be a bona fied youth movement with 18-year old Jared Hazen taking the win in 45:21, while Seth Kolosso, 19, charged home in 45:54. Corey Brown, 20, was third n 46:54.

The Winter Series continues on Feb. 8 on the Santa Fe Trail in Monument.

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