Since running his first 5K in 1988, Grand Junction resident Doug Sortor has run a lot of different 5K races, but Saturday marked a first.
At the Spooktacular 5K at Holy Family Catholic School, Sortor ran his first race dressed as a clown.
“I’m still a kid at heart,” Sortor said. “I’ve never run a race dressed as a clown.”
Saturday’s race on Halloween morning had more than 130 runners, with many getting into the Halloween spirit.
“We have a lot of people dressed up for Halloween,” race organizer Kathy Tarman said. “Since the race fell on Halloween, we made it a little more festive.”
Sortor, 54, took on the 3.1-mile course along with his dog, Rudy, who was also dressed as a clown. Sorter said the Spooktacular was one of the few races he’s run since completing his first triathlon, the Highline Hustle.
“I did the triathlon with my daughter and was a milestone in my running career,” Sortor said. “My next goal is the Rim Rock Run.”
The Spooktacular is traditionally called the Hallelujah 5K, and has been run at the current Holy Family campus in late October since 2004. The race runs through the Paradise Hills subdivision, then to H ¾ Road, on to 26 Road and back to the school.
“We get out into the country a little bit,” Tarman said. “It’s a real safe course, it has an uphill finish and people seem to like that.”
Grand Junction High School’s Kevin Martin, who opted to skip the costume in favor of traditional running attire, finished first overall in 18 minutes, 10 seconds. The Tigers cross country runner said he was happy with his finish.
“For these kinds of races I hope to get top 5 or top 10,” Martin said. “Today I won, so it was a good day.”
Martin is used to running on all types of terrain, so the paved course made for a fast time for the high school junior.
“I really like it because it’s mostly roads,” Martin said. “So it’s really fast.”
The Spooktacular also included a fun run for children. The half-mile course was decorated and it’s probably one of the few races where the competitors are given candy along the course.
“The other thing we did that’s a little different than races in the valley is we have a fun run,” Tarman said. “It’s for the little kids that can’t do the 5K.”
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