More than 375 runners compete — and connect — at Vail Recreation District’s 5K and 10K at 10,000 Feet

Tanner Sakrismo wasn’t planning on finishing up the CPAmerica Conference in Vail by running a 5-kilometer trail run at 10,000 feet.

“On the last day of the conference, somebody’s like, ‘By the way, there’s a 5K or 10K up in the mountains,'” he said. The lifetime Moorhead, Minnesota, resident received an even bigger surprise at the start line.

“All I could think when I got here was, ‘Gosh, you know I just feel like I’m going to see a Sederquist here today,” said Sakrismo. “I told my co-worker, ‘These people from Moorhead — they’re running fanatics. And whenever there’s running events, I see them.'”

Fair enough. Before he bolted out of Mid-Vail, Sakrismo turned to a woman next to him and asked her what pace she planned to run the race in.

“She looked kind of familiar,” he said of the young lady, who happened to be Christie Sederquist, a teammate of his on the 2012 Concordia College squad.

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Needless to say, it’s always fascinating to see who shows up to Vail Recreation District trail run events. Another notable entry was Zach Troutman. The rising junior at Texas Christian University, who was also a member of the Southlake Carroll High School squad that took third place at the 2023 Nike Cross National meet, dominated the 5K event.

“I just came up here to visit family, train at altitude and enjoy the beautiful views,” Troutman said after stopping the clock at 23 minutes, 10 seconds. “Honestly, I loved how it was open for the first mile and then it narrowed down. That played well to my strategy; I just wanted to get out quick and get in front of everybody before the trail so I wasn’t fighting for position.”

Avon’s 14-year-old Tucker Moore (24:35) placed second and Battle Mountain teacher and track coach T.J. Simpson (24:44) took third. Gypsum’s Sofia Guerra (28:45) claimed the women’s crown, followed by Shreveport, Louisiana, friends Emmy Banker (29:12) and Isabel Wooley (30:28). Meanwhile, Jackson Filmore returned to the top of Gondola 1 after placing second in the Hill Climb on July 5 to take the overall 10K title in 41:22.

“It felt good. I did go out a bit too fast. I was feeling it on the backstretch, but it was good. I just kept it moving,” said the 19-year-old Western Colorado University trail team member, who also won the Boneyard Boogie back in May and has established himself as the top local trail runner on the circuit. Former Vail Hill Climb and Berry Picker champion Joshua Ernst of Breckenridge was second in 41:27 and Norwegian native Oyvind Heiberg Sundby (43:13) rounded out the podium in third.

“I’m just always so stoked to be out here,” Filmore stated. “It’s such a great vibe at these races.”

Milaina Almonte had the boys in her sights the entire race and was gaining ground right up into the finish. The Battle Mountain alumna was first for women in a time of 41:38.

“I was pretty surprised as I got closer. I’ve only really kind of been passed on the downhills,” Almonte said. “So, I had to tell myself, ‘OK, go for it, try to make up places. Why not? Leave it all out there.'”

The Santa Clara University rising senior is only two weeks into her summer training after taking a well-deserved break coming off a long indoor and outdoor track season. She extended her spring fitness to place fourth at the Broken Arrow Ascent last month. Saturday was her first run completed at a nonconversational pace.

“This one was a little more intense,” Almonte said. “(The course) was beautiful. Honestly, that’s my first thought. I’m trying to look down on the technical part, but I’m like, looking up as much as I can.”

Annie Bersagel (49:51) finished second for women and Isla Elton (51:13) took third.

The Vail Recreation District trail series continues with the uphill Berry Picker race on Aug. 1. Of course, Sakrismo won’t be here for that. He and his co-worker, Heath Erickson — who is also from the Fargo-Moorhead area — planned to grab a doughnut, check out of The Grand Hyatt and drive to Denver to take in a Rockies game before flying home.

“We’re going to make the most of everything,” said Sakrismo, a father of three who runs around 4 miles a few days a week. At last year’s CPAmerica conference in Washington, D.C., the friends started a “6 a.m. run club” and spent hot, humid mornings jogging by the White House. Erickson said he runs “just to stay in shape.”

“We’re CPAs — we sit at a desk a lot — so it’s good to be out running a little bit,” he said before acknowledging the Vail trail community’s warm welcome. “It was great. People were nice, gave you a clap, trying to keep pace with people. It was a nice experience.”

Before he heads back to Texas, Troutman will continue his 75-mile-a-week regimen in preparation for the cross-country season. He’s hoping to help the Horned Frogs qualify for nationals this fall; in the spring, he’d like to go sub-9 in the steeplechase and place in the Big 12. Clearly a running fan, he’d already watched Josh Kerr break the 27-year-old mile world record before most people had digested their postrace Northside Kitchen doughnuts.

“I don’t want to spoil anything,” Troutman said, hesitating. “It happened earlier. I did not — I don’t think — he’s going to break the world record. But he might.”

Filmore said he’s not sure if he’ll be in town for Berry Picker or the Arrowhead Half later in August, but plans to compete in the Beas Knees Citizens’ race on July 25 in Salida before watching his old Eagle Valley teammates go for a fourth-straight team title at the National High School Trail Championships later in the morning. Many up-and-coming Devils ran in Vail on Saturday — Lindy Brummer (51:34) was fifth in the women’s race and Cayle Brummer finished 11th for men.

“I feel good for Eagle Valley,” Filmore said regarding his alma mater’s future. “They’re out here doing stuff.”

For Sakrismo, Almonte, Filmore and others, this Vail Recreation District event was just like every other one: an excuse — or serendipitous opportunity — to reconnect with old friends. Almonte cooled down with her old Battle Mountain teammate, Lindsey Whitton, as the friends’ Husky coaches either ran or watched the races.

“I just love seeing people I know and the community that’s here,” Almonte said. “That makes me excited and on the start line I’ll try to amp myself up. Like, ‘You’re ready to go for these hills, this is your home, just have fun.’ Just taking it all in — I love this place.”