That summertime staple known as the Flagstaff Run Series kicked off on a hot Saturday morning downtown with the Northland Hospice Run for Life 5K and 10K, and local runners dominated.
In the 10K, Flagstaff’s Ryan Guldan, 40, outbattled Lake Havasu City’s Dan Kuch, 50, for the overall title: Guldan at 36:40; Kuch at 36:41. Flagstaff’s Nick Arciniaga, 40, a former Olympic Trials marathoner, finished third at 37 minutes.
Guldan, a versatile racers adept on both the roads and trails, has competed nationally and internationally. He was the top Flagstaff finisher (non-pro elite) in April’s Boston Marathon, running 2:45.52. A month before that, he finished fifth in the grueling Mesquite Canyon 50K in 5:15.52.
It was the second straight Northland Hospice 10K victory for Royer, whom we profiled (along with her dog Ollie) last month before the Flagstaff Doggie Dash. In 2023, Royer, 27, won in 37:58. This year, she ran 40:16 for the win. Flag’s Valerie Cross was the second woman overall and top Masters in 44:26. Amanda Hicks, also of Flagstaff, was third in 44:48.
Overall, in the 10K, seven of the top eight runners hailed from Flagstaff. And five of the top six men were Masters runners (40+).
In the 5K, Team Run Flagstaff’s Brandon Joe dominated in 17:23, while Flagstaff’s Forrest Clark (19:12) and Mark Loeffler (19:51) finished second and third. Flagstaff’s Lindsay Riess was the top woman in 23 minutes.
Full results here.
Next up in the Flagstaff Run Series is the Fourth of July Downtwon Mile. Register here.
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