As people began to stir from their homes and stake out spots for Breckenridge’s Fourth of July parade, trail runners gathered at Carter Park early Friday morning, July 4, for the annual Independence Day 10K Trail Race.

A beloved tradition for Summit County residents and visitors alike, the race began promptly at 7 a.m., with runners lining up at the start line before ascending into the hills above Main Street.

From the opening moments of the foot race, it was clear that the battle to the finish line would be between 2020 Summit High School graduate Jeremiah Vaille and current USA Ski Mountaineering national team member John Rauen. 

Both strong endurance athletes, Vaille and Rauen steadily climbed uphill for the first 3 miles of the 5.1-mile race. Once the two athletes reached the highest point on the course, the duo both opened up their strides and began cruising to the finish line located at the heart of Carter Park. 

Effortlessly gliding over major rocks and roots, Vaille was the first athlete to enter the popular park. Sprinting at the sight of the finish line, Vaille took first overall in the race with a time of 37 minutes, 4 seconds. After taking third at last year’s race, the victory marked Vaille’s first Independence Day 10K win since 2023.

Vaille was soon followed by Rauen, a Breckenrdige resident, in second place (37:25) and Colorado Springs’ William Lamb in third (38:35). Dillon’s Paul Timm took fourth overall in 40:18 while Grand Junction’s Samuel Garmany rounded out the top five by taking fifth overall in 40:32.

The women’s race was dominated by Summit County’s Natalie Kalin. Leaning on her deep aerobic base, Kalin distanced herself from the rest of the women’s field within the first couple miles of the race and did not let up until she was safely across the finish line.

Kalin took sixth overall in a time of 40:47 to be crowned the women’s Independence Day 10K Trail Race champion. Over four minutes later, Boulder’s Lindsay Cook crossed the finish line in 13th place to be the race’s second female finisher (44:50). 

Lily Dorpinghaus, 16, was able to secure the final spot on the women’s podium, taking 15th overall (45:22). 

In terms of age group results,Dorpinghaus topped the women’s  17 and under age category. Kaylee Wilson took second in division with her 39th-place finish (49:27) and Dillon’s Lucia Templeton took third (71st overall, 54:16).

The men’s 17 and under division was led by Colorado Springs’ Sawyer Carlson. Carlson, 15, won the race division in a time of 42:50 and finished in eighth place overall. Carlson was followed in the division by Breckenridge’s Danny Butler (11th overall, 44:18) and Carter Cole (20th overall, 46:30).

The men’s 18– to 29-year-old group podium was composed of the race’s top three finishers in Vaille, Rauen and Lamb. The women’s 18- 29-year-old group podium included Kalin at the top, Cook in second and Ava Cole in third (18th overall, 46:00).

Breckenridge’s Brooke Steinkopf managed to top the women’s 30- to 39-year-old group podium. Steinkopf finished in a time of 46:41 to take 21st overall. Abby Bartolotta took second (34th overall, 48:52) and Paige Howard of Tampa, Florida finished in third (36th overall, 49:07).

Niels Seim was the first athlete across the finish line in the men’s 30- to 39-year-old age division. Seim clocked a time of 41:34 to take seventh overall while Mike Leighton of Breckenridge took second in the age category (25th overall, 47:30) and Diego Andraca finished third (26th overall, 47:30).

Denver’s Beth Connelly was the top finisher in the women’s 40- to 49-year-old age division. Connelly took 38th overall (49:22) with Littleton’s Lydia Rottman taking second in the division (47th overall, 50:44) and Seola Edwards finishing in third (49th overall 50:58).

It was a tight race to the finish line in the men’s 40- to 49-year-old age division. After close to 900 feet of climbing and a fairly technical descent it was RJ Miccio who finished the race first. Miccio took ninth overall in a time of 43:44 while Denver’s Michael Moore closely followed in 10th (43:51). The age division was rounded out by Boulder’s Jonathan Todd who finished the race in 44:41 and took 12th overall. 

Three Summit County locals made up the podium in the women’s 50-59 age division. Breckenridge’s Tiffany Cruickshank took first in the age category (52nd overall, 51:24) while Breckenridge’s Christine Garcia finished second (77th overall 55:02) and Dillon’s Victoria Mintz took third (86th overall, 55:35).

Nathan Hackos spearheaded the men’s 50- to 59-year-old age category. The 54-year-old runner ran 50:46 to take 48th overall. Hackos was followed in the division by Thomas Selke (60th overall, 52:57) and Jeff Johnson of Highlands Ranch (70th overall, 54:16).

John Clarke of Colorado Springs was the winner of the men’s 60- to 69-year-old age division (72nd overall, 54:32). In the women’s 60- to 69-year-old age division race, Kim Kasic of Boulder won the race (230th overall, 1:08:33). 

Rounding out the event were the men’s and women’s 70-plus age divisions. Denise Davidson, 72, of Golden, won the women’s race (350th overall, 1:44:41), while Luke Cammack,  72, claimed the men’s title (240th overall, 1:10:07).

For a full list of results, visit RaceBreck.com.