Once a small-time race for local bike aficionados, the Escalante Days Mountain Bike Race has grown in recent years.
Such growth was evident when 84 cyclists hailing from areas near and far showed up to compete in the event on Aug. 9.
Racing under clear skies, several competitors took advantage of good track conditions to record some of the fastest times in race history.
Leading the way was former U.S. Olympian and current Durango resident Travis Brown, who, competing in the Men's Expert Class, completed the 35-mile course in 1:53:59 to take top honors. Brown's time fell just short of Matt Shriver's course record time of 1:53:34.
Had Brown beaten Shriver's time, he would have received an $800 prize reserved for a rider who breaks the record. Since the record was not broken this season, the prize will increase to $900 next year.
Erich McAlister took second place in the Expert Men's Class (1:56:27), while Jens Nielson finished third (1:56:41).
Setting the pace in the Women's Expert Class, Durango resident Bettina Mills raced ahead of the field to finish first ahead of Brianna Marshall and Emily Schaldach with a time of 2:16:44. Mills' result was somewhat surprising in light of her lack of racing experience.
"I'm pretty new to racing and to mountain biking," said Mills, who has been biking for four years. "I have to say that I was pretty excited to have done that well. The course was stunning, and it was really fast."
Other finishers included Kirby Bryant, who finished first in the Men's Single Speed Expert Class (2:04:06) and Annie Bryant, who finished first in the Women's Single Speed Expert Class (2:40:15).
Finishing first among those traversing the 21-mile sport course was Keiran Eagen (1:12:14), while Kolby Waltman and Mia Holden were the top finishers on the 13-mile beginner course.
Offering an assessment of this year's races, Dolores Rotary Club president Laurel Rematore had nothing but good things to say.
"We think it went great," said Rematore. "It was extremely competitive, and we were very fortunate. There were only some minor injuries."
The Dolores Rotary Club said it will use funds from the year's race to support a variety of its programs, which projects in the U.S. and abroad.
Looking ahead to next year, Rematore that while she hopes that the race will continue, that decision ultimately rests with the city of Dolores.
"It's up to the town of Dolores to ask (the Rotary Club) to continue to host the race," said Rematore.
"We're ready to do it."
