Running with Kenyans

credit Max Mujynya

Today was the 30th Corrida de los Locos. It is a 5-mile out-and-back race held on a golf course in Santa Fe. I have never run the race, but The Desert Babe won it last year. In fact, the first run I ran with The Desert Babe was the weekend after this race last year. It is put on by the Santa Fe Striders and in fact, next year The Desert Babe will become the co-race director for it!

At any rate, it is pretty awesome that the race has been going on for 30 years. Conditions have varied greatly, but this year it was clear blue skies, no wind, and warmed into the 50s late in the race, meaning tshirt and shorts!!

Last year the winning time was around 30 minutes, which is fast considering the rolling course, one long climb, and 7,400 ft elevation. Except for about about 0.25miles on the road, the rest are either trail (with a short segment of sand, yuck!) and packed dirt cart paths.

All allusions of high ranking finishes disappeared with I saw the Kenyans had shown up. While Santa Fe has a program that brings in professional Kenyan runners to live and train, these Kenyans were actually from the nearby New Mexico Highlands University. Regardless they looked (and were) fast!

credit Max Mujynya

There is not much to say, other than the course was awesome, Kenyans were fast, and turned out to be a great day. I came in third in my age group and The Desert Babe came in second overall. A ringer from University of New Mexico ran and she was fast! Unfortunately, no pottery, instead awards were cowbells (which will be handy at Snow Shoe Nationals). But next year, I hear the new race director will bring back the pottery.

By the way, the winning time was over four minutes faster than last year, and nearly 7.5 minutes faster than me. Yikes!

#nmTrue