10th Annual Flying Pig 5K – a Success!

May 09, 2018

A group of runners, including adults and children, participate in the Flying Pig 5K on a sunny day. Some runners wear race bibs and push strollers. The backdrop includes grassy areas, bare trees, and distant hills under a clear blue sky. In the early morning hours of April 8th, hundreds of people from all over northern Colorado rolled out of bed and headed to Spring Canyon Park for the 10th annual Flying Pig 5k. As runners waited in line to pick up their race packets, they were greeted by friendly volunteers, sunny skies, and 30+ mile per hour winds!

The strong winds couldn’t stop the 403 runners and walkers who participated in Foothills Gateway’s exciting fundraiser. All proceeds from the event, totaling $17,093, went directly to the Family Support Services Program.

The Family Support Services Program provides information, support, coordination and funding to families that have one or more family member of any age with an intellectual/developmental disability living in the family home. Examples of services covered include: respite, adaptive equipment, and home modification. A man wearing a black hat and patterned sweater plays an electric guitar on an outdoor stage during the Flying Pig 5K. A young child standing nearby, wearing a leopard-print jacket, reaches up excitedly toward the guitar. The background features wooden beams and a sunny sky.

The flat and fast 5 kilometer (3.1 mile) course winds its way through Spring Canyon Park, a beautiful park nestled against the foothills on the west side of Fort Collins. Despite the wind at this year’s event, there were still some very fast times posted.

2018 Winners

The male overall winner, Nate Grimm, finished with a time of 17:27 while the overall female winner, Sara Callor, was not far behind with a time of 21:25. In addition to the overall winners, prizes were awarded to the top Master’s finishers. The Master’s category consists of athletes over the age of 40. The top male in this category was John Koss, with a time of 19:18. The top female was Mercedes Gill, finishing the course in 22:20. To view the complete list of results, please visit www.runlimitedfc.com.

What about our Piglets?!

As the grown-ups finished their race, it was time for the piglets to toe the start line. The free Piglet Walk, for children 10 and younger, never disappoints. It is safe to say that a majority of the kids were definitely not walking. The competition was fierce, but in the end, each participant took home a prize for their efforts.

Next year’s race will take place on Sunday, April 7th, 2019 – just one week before the 2019 Horsetooth Half Marathon!