January is in our rear view mirror (practically!) and there's lots of good news to share!

Let me lead off with the wonderful outcome from the US Olympic Trials in Houston where the competition was fierce and the women's and men's teams were very solid!

Meb for the win! (courtesy of Colorado Running Magazine

Shalane takes 1st (courtesy of Colorado Running Magazine)

I've attached a picture of our men's champ, Meb Keflezighi,when Mike Reilly (voice of The Ironman) and I interviewed him at the Running USA Hall of Champions shortly after the Trials. Take a look at the link to learn about Running USA (if you're a charity event or a race director, this is a perfect organization to join!).

Lonnie Somers was newly elected to the National Board of Running USA and additionally serves as their Treasurer (glad he's a CPA!). While ever so serious he couldn't resist in competing in the "Heat Sheet" competition. He made it to the finals, but was barely edged out and was a gracious runner-up. Check out his photo! The ever-multi-tasking Lonnie is heading to lead the announcing at the 26.2 with Donna National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer in Jacksonville, FL early in February.  In its 5th year, the event has grown to more than 10,000 participants.  Lonnie will be joined by runnnig legends Bill Rodgers, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Jeff Galoway and Cheif Running Officer (Mayor of Running) Bart Yasso.  If you are there, be sure to stop and say "hi", to Lonnie.

Lonnie (second from left)

We've added a bag check to the RunDenver series (it'll be at the "BKB Upcoming Events Tent") so you don't have to run back to your car after the race! Next up is the Super Bowl 5K at Denver's Washington Park on February 5th.  We have over 250 registrants who signed up for the entire series and as special appreciation for you, we will now have a special registration pick up area for you at each event.  Just look for the sign, "Series Registrants Packet Pickup".  Here you will get your bib and timing tag and guaranteed shirt size. 

Those of you who know and love Parthenia Jones ("Potts") need to know that she's hanging in there. I spoke with her today (Thursday, January 26th) and she knows her cancer is quite serious (Stage IV and it has spread into other critical areas). She's gearing up for chemo and radiation in the coming weeks. A special fund is being established next week thanks to FirstBank (and an anonymous and wonderful retired executive from that institution). Clearly Parthenia's insurance will not cover all of her expenses.  So if you'd like to contribute, please email me at creigh@bkbltd.com and I'll provide you with more details as I receive them. If you'd like to send her a note, please send it to Parthenia Jones or Potts, c/o BKB, PO Box 4184 Englewood, CO 80155 and we'll pack 'em up and get them to her!

Quick update on the Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon Weekend - registration is well ahead of last year and the marathon already has more entrants than it had last year with almost 4 months to go! We're going to cap the Urban 10 Miler very soon! We're also excited that over 60 charities are already signed up for the Charity Partner Program (look at the drop down list of charities on our web site to see if your favorite is there. If it is, sign up in their name and help them set a record in fundraising!)

Thanks again for making the winter season so much fun for all of us!