The Glow Run was started last year as the brainchild of Rangely High School volleyball coach Jimmie Mergelman as a way to raise funds so the school can have a strong summer volleyball program. Mergelman said she plans to have college-level coaches travel to Rangely to work with the RHS girls and give them some extra knowledge that could be the difference between winning and losing.
In 2013, about 70 people signed up for this inaugural event. This year, that number increased to 96 people. Besides the 5K race, there was also a one-mile route for those 10 years and under. For both groups, cars followed along for safety reasons and water stations were set up along the route.
The participants wear or carry glow sticks to be easily seen by drivers and by others in the 5K. The course is well marked, so the runners can follow the markings, plus the runners are given the directions before the start of the race. Maps are also available.
Event sponsors were: Blue Mountain Inn and Suites, Giovanni’s Italian Grill, Crossfire LLC, Urie Trucking, Big D’s, Belson, Rangely Auto Parts, Jim and Diana Watson and Urie Rock Co.
The Hotchkiss High School girls’ volleyball team also took part in the Glow Run, bringing a total of 14 people with them.
There was a three-way tie between winners: junior Chance Sheppard, junior Daniel Connor and fourth-grader Andrew Dorris. Their time, clocked with a photo finish, was 25 minutes, 31 seconds.
A few weeks back, Andrew Dorris won the 5K Color Run held in Rangely. This time, Dorris got off course and ran a couple blocks out of his way, but still pulled off the win.
