Nelson dominates Swift Skedaddle Snowshoe Race

Breckenridge - The Gold Run Nordic Center proved to be the location for fast times and tough climbs at Saturday's Swift Skeddadle Snowshoe Race.

After 10 varied kilometers, Keri Nelson and Lindsay Krause took first and second overall, respecitively, followed by Summit local David Wilcox in third.

Nelson, or Grand Junction, maintained her undefeated season. With the exception of last week's Mount Taylor Winter Quadrathlon (biking, running, snowshoeing and skiing), she's spent every weekend this season trekking through the snow.

Within the last month alone, Nelson has raced in Beaver Creek, Leadville, New Mexico and Japan (at a World Series race).

The 26-year old was also the defending champ at the Gold Run Swift Skeddadle.

Krause of Littleton, followed Nelson's remarkable time (59 minutes, 1 second) with an impressive 1:02:50.

Nelson went back and forth with Krause and Summit Cove's David Wilcox during the race before utlimately pulling away on the single track. Wilcox finished first among men and third overall in 1:03:58.

"I was the overall winner of the slow division," Wilcox responded when asked what it was like to get chicked.

Both Wilcox and Nelson commented on the great singletrack that kept each runner focused and challenged. Although it was a faster 10K compared to other regional events, the difficult course boasted 850 vertical feet, according to Wilcox.

"Whenever you strap on snowshoes, the degree of difficulty rises," Wilcox said in regards to the difference between snowshoeing and trail running.

Racers were treated to slight improvements from last year's course according to race director and Gold Run manager Jim Sanders.

Bernie Frey, a Gold Rush employee and one of Saturday's racers, helped lay out some new sections by Discovery Ridge and Peabody Placer. (Next year, operators plan to incorporate the abrupt, technical flume section into 5K of groomed trails).

"My intention was to make it more competitive... not just on a golf course" said Frey about setting the route. "With the race being a national qualifier people had to earn it." Frey and his team of co-workers and volunteers spent three weeks marking the course in the Golden Horseshoe open space area.

Those who didn't wish to tackle the longer, more technical course took part in the 4K fun run. Darren Brungardt of Dillon won decisively in 34:17 folowed by 14-year-old Lauren Mills of Aurora (49:24).