Area team runs in ultramarathon race

The "Cool Arrows" ran in the 195-mile Wild West Relay in Colorado. Team members are (l-r): Sam Luna, Nick Wagner, Taylor Ewing, Steve Giuliano, Steve Bergsman, Patrick Darragh and Bryan Alvares.

A local team surprised the field recently at the inaugural Wild West Relay held in Colorado.

The event, an ultramarathon running race, started in Fort Collins and ended 195 miles later in Steamboat Springs. The grueling, non-stop journey through the Rocky Mountains started at an altitude of over 5,000 feet and reached heights of over 10,000 feet.

The 60 teams that competed had their choice of using 6 or 12 person teams. The "Cool Arrows" chose the six man option - runners included Taylor Ewing, Patrick Darragh, Sam Luna, Steve Bergsman and Nick Wagner from San Antonio, and Steve Giuliano from Fair Oaks Ranch, along with the team's main supporter and race volunteer Bryan Alvares.

The team stayed in a predetermined rotation, with each runner responsible for running 6 legs of the race for an approximate total of 33 miles each.

The Cool Arrows took second place in their division and fifth overall with a time of 26 hours and 39 minutes. The team thoroughly enjoyed the experience of running without heat and humidity and has already targeted their next challenge, a 210-mile relay next year in Vermont.