ACE presents the 2008 La Sportiva Rattlesnake Ramble Race Report
Eldorado Canyon State Park, September 21, 2008 - The 4th annual La Sportiva Rattlesnake Ramble trail race went off this morning in Eldorado Canyon State Park. A record number of 67 finishers (80 signed up, but 13 did not start). With former champion Andy Ames and defending champion Dave Mackey in the field, it looked to be a fast race, and indeed it was. Overall, this was the fastest race in Ramble history. Each previous year we've had only two runners break the 30-minute barrier, but this year runners did it!
Adventure racer Travis Macy took the early lead and led up the big Eldorado Trail hill, but soon La Sportiva runner John Tribbia would take the lead and push the pace the entire way. Due to a volunteer error the course turn-around on the Fowler Spur was 20 meters too far, making the course longer than it should have been. This might have been the difference in saving Ames' course record of 28:05, for Tribbia ran a blistering 28:12 and won by 45 seconds. The race for second was desperately close with Macy edging out Matt Hill by a single second.
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, 10-year-old Derek Wright made it two in a row, defending his title from last year, though on the new 2-mile kids' course.
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,Fleet Feet, and Kahtoola. 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
President Action Committee for Eldorado
