It was a perfect running day on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, as over 800 runners rocketed through downtown Des Moines to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Capital Pursuit. Thanks to the RRCA (Road Runners Club of America) for making our 10-mile race the State Championship event with a record setting 655 finishers.
Local runners dominated the 10-mile race by cruising through the finish line in seemingly effortless fashion. The overall female winner of the 10-mile race was Danna Kelly, finishing in 59:22, (5:56 pace). The overall male winner of the 10-mile race was Jason Flogel, finishing in 51:10, (5:07 pace). The overall 5k female finisher was Yelena Nanaziashvili of Clive with a time of 18:33 (5:59 pace). The 5k male winner was Mason Frank of Ames with a time of 15:04 (4:51 pace).
Many thanks to the City of Des Moines and the DM Police Department for keeping our runners safe and traffic moving. There was a 2 block section of Locust from E 4th through E 6th that was opened so our runners could take a quick tour of the World Food Festival, which I was told, smelled delightful.
We had 19 student athletes and 17 adult mentors from See-Us Run Des Moines running our 10 mile race. Capital Pursuit sponsors SRDM by inviting the students and mentors to race free of charge. SRDM is a wonderful program of Iowa Kidstrong, Inc. See-Us Run Des Moines helps teens who face adversity in their lives learn that they are capable, resourceful, and resilient to respond to Life's challenges by providing them the opportunity to experience first hand the benefits of goal setting, character development, adult mentoring, and improved health through committing to training for and completing the Des Moines Marathon.
Des Moines' next generation of runners showed us how speedy they are as approximately 30 Pursuit Junior kids sprinted for the finish line Sunday to earn participation medals.
Thank you to our many wonderful sponsors who without, we would not be able to continue to put on this race. These businesses, organizations and individuals provide critical resources to support our races.
Pella Windows - Premier financial sponsor Living History Farms Race Scheels Fitness Sports Crystal Clear Water America's Best Apparel Gatorade Lint Van Lines Taco Johns Brueggers Bagels Capital City Fruit Roberts Dairy Mars Chocolate Prairie Life Fitness America's Best Apparel, Inc.
Capital City Graphics
DMU Osteopathic Finish Line Treatment
The Suites of 800 Locust
Dahls Grocery
Momentum Magazine
Des Moines Register
Juice Magazine
As anyone involved in race directing knows, the weather and runners are only part of the formula to a successful event. More than 200 people volunteer each year to help with Capital Pursuit. They pour water, serve as course marshals, help with registration, distribute food, provide massages, and a host of other tasks that go on seamlessly behind the scenes.
Special Thanks to:
Awards - Capital Strider Board Members: Mike McGinn and Ellen Wade
A big thank you to Prairie Life Fitness for allowing us space for packet-pickup on Friday night. Thanks to Gail Bormann, Lisha Steffey, Caroline Pester, Bill Wedeking, & Board Members Curtis Downs, Jeff Gray, & Mike McGinn along with other helping hands who just couldn't resist helping.
I want to thank Mike McGinn for stepping up to the plate to organize the course marshals this year, also helping are a host of volunteers including 20 some men from the Drake Cross Country Team and 20 some women from the Roosevelt Cross Country Team.
Thanks to Terry Lint of Lint Van Lines for being an wonderful sponsor, providing the truck that carries an unbelievable load of supplies for our races. Many thanks to Board member, Curtis Downs and the Lint Van Lines volunteers who did all the heavy lifting and provided invaluable assistance in moving materials and supplies to set-up and tear down our race courses.
Start and Finish Line - Carrie Van Quathem & friends, Steve Bobenhouse, Stan Smith, Larry Jablonski, Cal Murdock.
Pursuit Junior - Cindy Elsbernd of See-Us Run Des Moines.
Announcer - John Leonhardt & Ron Ricker
Thanks to Lori Ballard who sang the National Anthem.
Bike Support - Carl Voss
Denny Wheeler and Scott Dennis for marking the course.
Larry Jablonski for providing and setting up the finish line scaffolding.
Stan Smith for providing finish line and sound equipment for the last 30 years as well as Cal Murdoch for his 30 years worth of timing this event and providing race history.
Thank you to the The Suites of 800 Locust for helping us out with lots of last minute details as well as providing an area for race day registrations.
Thanks to Scheels and Fitness Sports for providing awards. Also special thanks to Wade Wearmouth of WCM Metals for providing the special metal hanger awards that went to our top men & women.
A huge thank you to our Water Stop support teams:
Greg Altmairer & friends for - Water Stop #1 Dan Hostager & the Drake Men's Cross Country Team - Water Stop #2 Todd Shemper of Work Systems Rehab and his friends of Central Presbyterian Church - Water Stop #3 Chris Burch and friends of IMT Des Moines Marathon - Water Stop #4
Thanks to you who share your photos with us on Facebook.
Also many thanks to my family and friends who got up very early Sunday morning to volunteer with set-up, late registration, and wherever needed. I know I have overlooked many who are so kind to reach out to us wherever they see we are in need. There is nothing more awesome than runners helping runners. We are so fortunate to live in such a supportive running community. Great job everyone! Hope to see you all again next year.
