More than 500 participate in Mickelsen run

This year’s Brian Mickelsen Memorial Run went off without a hitch, and it continues to grow for Cottonwood.

Runners had a beautiful morning to enjoy the community’s annual full marathon, half marathon, 10K and two-mile races on Saturday, April 20.

“Overall the run was great,” said Ryan Bigelow, the recreation center program supervisor for the city of Cottonwood. “[There were] no major issues. The half marathon and the full marathon grew significantly.”

Starting and ending at Riverfront Park, 62 participants ran in the second-ever marathon of the Brian Mickelsen Memorial Run, with just seven runners from out of the state. Runners ran through Old Town, then along the hills to Sycamore Canyon Road up to Tuzigoot National Monument and finished at Dead Horse Ranch State Park along the Verde River.

Sabrina Tapley of Goodyear won the marathon for the women’s division and had the best time overall for both men and women, finishing in 3 hours, 10 minutes and 39 seconds.

For the full story, please see the Wednesday, April 24, issue of the Cottonwood Journal Extra.