Runners prepare for last Flaming Gorge 5K

It’s been a good run, but now it’s time to say goodbye.

It’s been 30 years of running for John and Terry Pawleska. They have been the backbone to the marathons, 5ks, 10ks, the Frostbite race, the Riverfest marathon, and the Flaming Gorge 5K and others in the area as well. This year though, will be the last for their Flaming Gorge 5K.

“We’re getting to the point where I’m ready to retire,” John Pawleska said. “We’re both in our sixties now and it’s time to slowly phase our runs out.”

For now, they still plan on continuing to help with the annual Frostbite race and Riverfest marathon. It’s hard to give up a baby you’ve known and taken care of for 30 years of your life.

The Pawleskas inherited the Red Desert Road Runners club which the races are done through, in the 1970s. When others wanted to discontinue it, they took over and have been doing it ever since as president and vice president of the club.

Other’s who have had a major role in the livelihood of the annual races are Dennis and Diane Pineda, and Brenda Gray.

“Generally the five of us do everything,” Pawleska said. “We’re a mixed-up bunch. We kind of run around together and do races around state together.”

Running races and marathons is an addicting hobby to get into, Pawleska said.

“Once you do your fist marathon, you’re hooked. you’ll say you’ll never do another one and a couple weeks later, you looking for another one,” he said.

But alas, it is time for the Pawleska’s to devote their attentions elsewhere.

“We’ve got grandkids now so they kind of occupy our time more,” Pawleska said. “This will give us a little more time to spend with them. They are growing up too fast.”

Planning a race event can be quite the time consuming experience. Races such as the Frostbite take about three weeks to plan, the Flaming Gorge 5K takes about a month and a half, and the Riverfest marathon takes from March to August to plan. It is a lot of hard work and dedication and worth it to the Pawleskas.

“We had some good races over the years. We’ve done one from Green River to Rock Springs before, all sorts of different courses in this area.”

They used to put on 10 races a year and have slowly cut back. They used to do one a month almost, he said.

“It’s fun to put on,” Pawleska said. “We’ve enjoyed it over the years. People come back that have run with us for years. It’s kind of fun. We run whether it rains, snows, whatever; nothing stops us.”

Race the final Flaming Gorge race

The final Flaming Gorge 5K is June 27. Registration starts at 6:30-7:30 a.m. The race starts at 8 a.m. at Jackson Elementary School in at 2200 East Teton Blvd.

This year’s course will start at Jackson School and head down to the river with a short detour to the right on the way down than to the river bridge. It will continue to and circle the red archery barn. It will then go back to the bridge and enter the Greenbelt path making the circle and then head back towards Jackson School. It will not continue up the hill, but up to the new houses on the right. This makes the course a pretty fast course in comparison to past courses.

This year, there are medals for the first three overall finishes in each age group. Plaques will be given to the first four who finish the race, both male and female. There will also be a $50 bonus to the first male and female who finish under age 30, under age 60 and over 60 categories. There are also medals for the first 40 walkers who finish the race. All walkers must walk the entire track for everyone to receive the same medal.

Race forms are available at Green River Recreation Center and the Rock Springs Recreation Center or at 450 Ironwood in Green River. Email tpawles@hotmail.com to receive a form. For a choice of T-shirts, please register advance. There will be T-shirts for the first one hundred participants to enroll. The cost of the race is $20 and $25 after June 25.

“Sadly to say this will be the final time we will put this race on,” Pawleska said. “It has been a great run over the years but it is time for me and Terry to put our efforts more towards the River Fest and our February run.”