Cinco/Cinco 5k Run on May 1 to Benefit Gutierrez Memorial Scholarship Fund at Colorado State University

The sixth annual Cinco/Cinco 5K Run and Walk in honor of Gil Gutierrez will begin at 8 a.m. May 1 on the Colorado State University Oval. The event will kick off the 1999 Cinco de Mayo celebration in Fort Collins.

"I wish I were marking this day by planning to have coffee with Gil, rather than planning this run," said Barbara Musslewhite, member of "The Friends of Gil Gutierrez" committee. "Nothing can bring him back, but we can honor his dedication, his humanity and his generous spirit by gathering the community together for this run and the scholarships it provides."

Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate. Cost for pre-registration is $16 for the general public and $14 for students and senior citizens, and includes a race T-shirt. The family/group rate, or team rate, is pay for four and get one free. Race-day registration begins at 6:30 a.m. May 1 and will be $3 more per participant. For registration information or entry forms, contact Louie Sanchez at (970) 491-7165.

Entry forms also are available at the following locations: Colorado State Ombudsman’s Office; Colorado State Intramural Sports; Runner’s Roost, Ltd., 1669 S. College Ave.; Foot of the Rockies, 1205 West Elizabeth St.

A free children’s fun run will be held after participants have completed the 5K run/walk. Children eight and under will race once around the Oval. Door prizes, giveaways and announcements will follow the competitions. Division winners will be awarded a $50 donated cash prize in two categories, the overall men’s division and the overall women’s division. This year, there also will be a "Predict Time" division for which there will be eight donated cash awards of $25 each. Division winners also will be announced later during the city’s Cinco de Mayo celebration in Old Town.

Gil Gutierrez served as ombudsman for Colorado State from 1990-93, and was dedicated to providing access and support to students interested in higher education. An accomplished runner, Gutierrez was hit by a drunk driver while running early one morning in August 1993. He died a few days later at Poudre Valley Hospital.

The run is sponsored by "The Friends of Gil Gutierrez" organizing committee, Colorado State Intramural Sports and the Cinco de Mayo Planning Committee. Proceeds from the event are designated for the Gil Gutierrez Memorial Scholarship Fund, which distributes two scholarships of $555.55. The figure was chosen to reflect five fives, or "cinco cincos." The May 1998 run was "el quinto," or the fifth year, and was successful enough to fund five scholarships.

For more information or to make a donation for the Cinco/Cinco Run, call Louie Sanchez at (970) 491-7165; or Barbara Musslewhite at (970) 491-0661. Sanchez also may be contacted to nominate students for the memorial scholarship.

For more information about the Fort Collins or Colorado State University Cinco de Mayo festivities, call Rich Salas at (970) 491-5722.