Nearly 600 run and walk enthusiasts turned out Saturday, April 16, for another memorable running of the third annual Brian Mickelsen Memorial Run/  Walk at Riverfront Park in Cottonwood.

Verde Valley residents, especially those living in Cottonwood, got to remember an old friend once again Saturday, running in his honor.

Mickelsen, a former Cottonwood city manager, died tragically four years ago while training on a local trail for a race.

His loss was felt throughout the Verde Valley, and for those who knew him well, Saturday’s half marathon, 10K race and two-mile run and walk was a perfect chance to remember.

Half Marathon Results

Only 126 of the nearly 600 participants ran in the 13.2-mile half marathon race Saturday, with a Flagstaff resident dominating the competition.

Alejandro Troncoso, 23, took first overall Saturday with a 1:14.17 time.

“Yeah, this was great,” Troncoso said when asked about the race only minutes after his finish. “I wasn’t expecting so much trail. This is a few minutes off my personal best, but I’ve been dealing with an Achilles tendinitis injury the last few months.”

The injury didn’t seem to matter come race time, as Troncoso was nearly eight full minutes faster than the next runner.

“I hope to come next year. This was a well run race,” Troncoso added, looking like he just walked two miles, not run 13.

Coming in second was Cottonwood resident Romaro Scaturro, who finished with a 1:22.05 time. Jared Allen, a 24-year-old Prescott resident, finished third overall with a 1:23.00 time.

The first Sedona resident finisher was fourth overall in the half marathon. Daniel Jaimes-Herrera, 20, finished his day with a 1:24.36 time. Wrapping up the top five was 44-year-old Jesse Alexander of Cornville with a 1:27.27 time.

Another notable local was 57-year-old Camp Verde High School cross country Head Coach Mike O’Callagan, who finished 10th overall with a 1:33.42 time.

“It was a fun race; it was a great day for it. It was good to see all the Camp Verde people in it too,” O’Callagan said.

The first female to cross the finish line in the half marathon was 36-year-old Cottonwood resident Daniele Thagard who finished 13th overall with a 1:37.12 time.

Camp Verde resident Mary Taylor was right behind Thagard, finishing 14th overall with a 1:37.56 time.

10K Results

With over 200 participants, it was nice to see a Cottonwood resident win the 10K race. Mingus Union High School student Jose Wells, 17, enjoyed his second victory in as many years. Wells finished first overall with a 35:07.50 time.

Other top finishes include Josh Terwoord, a 27-year-old Flagstaff resident, who took second overall with a 35:24.75 time. Daryl Onton from Parks finished third overall with a 38:38.15 time while Randi Simon of Prescott Valley was fourth with a 39:11.65 time. Eighteen-year-old Hunter Rauch, a Cottonwood resident, wrapped up the top five with a 39:35.40 time.

Other notables Saturday included 16-year-old Colin Garttmeier, who finished sixth overall with a 39.45.90 time, while 16-year-old Lane Gehl was seventh with a 40:29.00 time. Seventeen-year-old Corey Austin was eighth overall with a 41:11.35 time, and 18-year-old Paladin Scott was ninth with a 41:16.20 time.

Two other fun notables were Mingus cross country Head Coach Jim Bostwick and golf Head Coach Craig Mai. Mai finished 25th overall with a 46:59.20 time while Bostwick finished 199th overall with a 1:56.34 time.

Two-Mile Run/Walk

Although there were no times officially kept for the two-mile section of the Brian Mickelsen Memorial Run-Walk on Saturday, almost half the race attendees participated in it.

Sedona resident Janet Weber said she and her family enjoyed the day and were especially happy for how well the event was run.

“This was our first time over here, and it’s a very well run meet. It’s sad to see the Sedona Marathon being shut down, but I’m hopeful that maybe Sedona and Cottonwood can get together and put on one of these races,” Weber said.

Weber went on to share she was happy to bring the family dog too, and that it was good to see so many people out for a good cause.