El Tour Opens For Second Year With Run/Walk Along The Rillito

TUCSON, Ariz – The Diamond Ventures 14th Annual El Tour Adventure 10K & 5K Run/Walk presented by The University of Arizona Medical Center offered 340 registrants blue skies and somewhat cooler temperatures early this morning.     

The “kick-off” event for the 60-day El Tour season was held today for the benefit of the Ben’s Bell Project helping all to “believe in the power of kindness.”  The event also supported myTeam Triumph, an athletic ride-along program created for children, teens, adults and veterans who would normally not be able to experience endurance events such as triathlons or road races.

The 10K and 5K courses begin and end at St. Gregory College Preparatory School with 10K participants heading west along the south side of the river, crossing over at Dodge and returning on the north side.  5K participants cross over at Swan before returning on the north side.  The courses offer participants an adventurous route, mostly flat with a variety of terrain and a dispensation from the annoyance of motor traffic.

5K Podium – Men
1st – Brian Hall, 36, Tucson, 20:11; 2nd – Hirofumi Yamakawa, 33, Queen Creek, 23:54; 3rd – Matt Packard, 15, Tucson, 25:13

5K Podium – Women
1st – Janet Holland, 52, Tucson, 23:03 (new record); 2nd – Tejal Parikh, 47, Tucson, 23:13; 3rd – Sarah Streb, 26, Tucson, 25:42

10K Podium – Men
1st- Angel Ochoa, 24, Tucson, 38:34 (new record); 2nd – Keith Schlottman, 47, Tucson, 38:54; 3rd – Brian Soto, 36, Phoenix, 39:31

10K Podium – Women
1st – Diane Manzini, 27, Tucson, 43:48; 2nd – Melody Bailey, 52, Tucson, 45:35; 3rd – Kimberly Fitzpatrick, 41, Tucson, 48:39

Registration Total – 340

Money Raised over $3,000 to date

Other Sponsors & Contributors
92.9 The Mountain, Arizona Daily Star, AZDMAT, Blue Pants Racing, Bohac Consulting Services, Clif Bar, Cortiva Institute Massage Therapists, DakotaPro.biz, El Grupo, GU Chomps, GU Roctane, KGUN 9., Kola’s LLC, Madden Media, Metro Restaurants, Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau, Michelob ULTRA, National Charity League, Penske Truck Rental, Pima County Parks & Recreation, Royal Kia, Sleep America, St. Gregory’s Student Body, Tail Winds and Wells Fargo Bank.

Other 2011 Events
Perimeter Bicycling also organizes the 24th Cochise County Cycling Classic, October 10th and The University of Arizona Medical Center 29th El Tour de Tucson presented by CenturyLink, November 19th.  Applications can be found in Tail Winds, at local bicycle and running shops or online