Under hot and sunny September skies about 60 runners sprinted out of the starting block as the Golden City Grind wound its way through the back trails of Rossland.
The race is divided into categories with kids running one kilometers and adults either five or 10-K.
Starting at the Centennial trailhead, the kid’s 1-K loop passed through the tunnel, up the hill beside the water treatment plant and loop back again.
For adults, the 5-km loop also starts at the Centennial trailhead, runs through the tunnel, up the grueling Curly’s switchbacks, down Moe’s trail and back along Centennial.
If you’re up for the 10-km ordeal, you can add in an extra loop from the end of Moe’s, past the Rock Cut Pub, along the new trail extension through Caldera, and back along the Red Mountain Road to the finish at the Trailhead.
Numerous sponsors helped get the run back on track last year and donate everything from prizes to chocolate gold medals for the winners.
Organizer Tammie Gibson says with all the other activities going on it was still a great turnout with all funds raised going to support the Blackjack skier development.
Emry McGill came first in the boys 1-K run while Finley Kinghorn placed second and Tayne Steven third.
In the girls 1-K, India Nornes took the gold followed by Taryn Cutt and Mena McGill in second and third respectively.
The fastest time for the 10-km run went to David Palmer with a time of 31 minutes 58 seconds - he also won the 16-19-age category. Nick Underwood was second.
Sierra Gibson won the 10-K, 16-19 women’s event while Justin Penney won the 20-29 age category men’s and Stacey Cleaveley placed first in the women’s.
Colin Adamson beat out Rob Spiller and Wannes Luppens in the men’s 30-39 age group, while Mandy McGill took top honours in the women’s, with Jenn Ellsworth taking second and Deanne Steven third.
In the 40+ category Fred Bushell won gold with Andy Morel silver and Morel David bronze. Sandi Jewell won first in the women’s for the same age group.
In the 5-K run under age 11 category, Simon Hills took first and Ronan Hinds second, while in the girls run, Charlotte Gibson won gold and Sammie Gaul and Emilia Hofmann nabbed silver and bronze.
Jacob flood and Daniel Merlo finished first and second respectively in the boys 11-15, 5-K. Megan Heximer won the 11-15 female division with Anna Cooper and Sage Robine following in second and third.
Susanne Fraser won the women’s 16-19 event, while Marvin Kristjanson came first in the 30-39-year old men’s.
Jen Vogel won the women’s 30-39, 5-K, and Teresa Zmavc came second.
Brent Adair took gold in the 40+ with Gordon Cooper and Pat Hinds finishing second and third in the men’s.
Karen Lavender won the women’s with Paula Gaul and Sabra Norton winning silver and bronze.