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Kids round up fun at Rodeo Stampede

By Deb Hurley Brobst Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 9:56 am Kids ages 2 to 14 ran fast and ran far in the third annual Kids Rodeo Stampede at the Evergreen Rodeo Grounds on May 28. More than 160 children from Evergreen and Conifer schools, plus some from Bailey, Boulder and Lakewood, took part in the 50-yard dash and 1-mile and 2-mile runs. In addition, there was face painting, a bounce house, a fire truck from Evergreen Fire/Rescue and a silent auction. For the second year in a row, Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen won the school challenge by having the largest number of participants at the event. The school gets to keep a traveling trophy for another year, a $100 prize for the schools physical education department, and bragging rights that the school won the trophy. Second place went to Wilmot Elementary and third place to Bergen Meadow Elementary. Proceeds are given to organizations that further physical activity in children: the Children's Hospital department of rehabilitation and the Mountain RUNzillas running club for kids. It was a ton of fun, said Barb Garey, chairwoman of the event. I think all the kids had a great time. Seeing those kids doing the 50yard dash, the amount of energy and enthusiasm they had was incredible. While music was blaring and families were mingling on the rodeo grounds, a group of volunteers worked hard to keep things running smoothly. The volunteers start with a committee of nine who organize the event. On race day, others are added to the mix, and this year the Evergreen High School cheerleaders joined in. They register children, provide snacks after the races and do everything to help make the races run smoothly. I am serious, Garey said. Some of those people on our committee are the most hardworking and have the best attitudes. This is really a big project. We work on it all through the year. The volunteers agreed that their commitment to the event was twofold: first, to get kids moving, and second, to help the organizations that receive the events proceeds. Nancy Ortiz, who organized the post-race snacks, said its important to get kids active when theyre young. The Rev. Patrick Dorn doesnt have any kids in the race but volunteers each year to be involved in the community. Our church is interested in fitness, said Dorn, pastor at Church of the Apostles. This is the perfect turnout, he said. The parents help kids make healthy choices. Penny Dahlen, a newcomer to Evergreen and the Kids Rodeo Stampede, decided to help with the event to get more involved in the community, and her son Ian ran the 2-mile race. The volunteers agree that races like those at the Kids Rodeo Stampede are just the beginning, and they hope it leads kids to try other sports and stay active as they get older. This event shows kids the fun of fitness and the benefits of it, volunteer Dauma Venta said. My children have participated all three years, and we love it so much. I enjoy having the community come out. It puts a smile on my face. The volunteers are happy that the event is continuing to grow. Last year, about 100 children participated in the events. Organizers are thinking even bigger for next year, setting their sights on 200 participants. The winners 50-yard dash first-place winners by age group Prekindergarten: Burke Lowry, 5 Kindergarten-first grade: Cole Siegler, 7

Second-third grade: Joey Jensen, 9 Fourth-fifth grade: Theo Milter, 10 Middle-school: Megan Stills, 13

1-mile race winners by age group, age and time: Prekindergarten: First: Bella Vogl, 3, 10:55 Second: Keegan OToole, 4, 11:01 Third: Jack Hughes, 6, 12:25

Kindergarten-first grade: First: Cole Siegler, 7, 8:09 Second: Sean Holloway, 7, 8:42 Third: Benjamin Clark, 6, 9:10

Second-third grade: First: William Vietor, 8, 8:16 Second: Joey Jensen, 9, 8:23 Third: Cody Jacobsen, 9, 8:37

Fourth-fifth grade: First: Max Straub, 10, 7:24 Second: Lauryn Jeans, 10, 7:27 Third: Connor Bilgrave, 10, 7:42

Middle school: First: Brian King, 12, 7:09 Second: Ethan Knowles, 11, 7:25 Third: Megan Stills, 13, 8:34

High school/Adult First: Kevin Fairfield, 10:41 Second: Cathy Fairfield, 12:55 Third: Nancy Conception, 12:58

2-mile race winners by age group, age and time:

Kindergarten-first grade: First: Ben Leifer, 6, 20:10 Second: Sophia Andriola, 6, 20:51 Third: Zach Cindrich, 6, 23:16

Second-third grade: First: Hunter Markey, 7, 16:15 Second: Jack Andriola, 8, 17:05 Third: Ben Andriola, 8, 17:39

Fourth-fifth grade: First: Pierce Strasser, 11, 14:14 Second: Ben Hebert, 10, 14:54 Third: Flip Ian Flor, 11, 15:19

Middle school: First: Christopher King, 14, 12:17 Second: Tyler Garey, 11, 16:25 Third: Genevieve Gionet, 12, 18:18

High school and adult First: Gabrielle Gionet, 14, 16:28