Tenth Annual Cinco/Cinco 5k Run at Colorado State University to Benefit Memorial Scholarship Fund

A Fort Collins Cinco de Mayo tradition will again be held this year with the 10th annual Cinco/Cinco 5K Run/Walk at 8 a.m. May 3 on the Colorado State University Oval.

The event honors Gil Gutierrez, Colorado State’s ombudsman from 1990-93 and an accomplished runner, who was hit by a drunken driver while running in August 1993. He died a few days later at Poudre Valley Hospital.

All proceeds from the run benefit the Gil Gutierrez Memorial Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships of at least $555.55 to Colorado State students and encourages sober driving. The scholarship amount was originally selected to represent five fives, or "cinco cincos."

Runners and volunteers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate in the community event and donations are greatly appreciated. The cost for pre-registration, including a race T-shirt, is $16 for the general public and $14 for students and senior citizens. Colorado State students living in a Colorado State residence hall or apartment life complex will be charged $12.

Late registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. the day of the race and will be $3 more. Groups of four or more may register and get the fifth person free.

A donated cash prize of $50 will be awarded to the overall male and female winners of the 5K Run. The top three male and female 5K Run participants in each age bracket will receive an award. The top three male and female 5K Walk participants also will receive an award.

A Fun Run will be held following the 5K Run/Walk for children ages eight and under. There is no charge and children must register to participate. Door prizes will be given away following the race.

Race entry forms are available at Colorado State’s Student Recreation Center, main office; GLBT Student Services in the Lory Student Center on campus; Foot of the Rockies, 1205 W. Elizabeth St. or 150 E. Harmony Road; and Runner’s Roost, 902 W. Drake Road, Suite #7. Participants also can register online at www.active.com.

Division winners will be announced during the city’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration in Old Town and in the Fort Collins Coloradoan.

"This is the 10th annual race and 26 scholarships have been distributed to date in Gil’s memory," said Barbara Musslewhite, Assistant Director for the Office of Undergraduate Student Retention. "This fundraiser allows us to continue to honor his memory by supporting the educational goals of the scholarship recipients."

Gutierrez was dedicated to improving access and support to underrepresented and first generation college students interested in higher education.

The run is managed by the Friends of Gil Gutierrez organizing committee and the Colorado State University Recreational Sports Department.

For more information about the 5K or to make a donation to the 10th Annual Cinco/Cinco, contact Loretta Capra at (970) 491-4847. For information about the memorial scholarship, call Musslewhite at (970) 491-0421. For information about volunteering for the race, call Marie Finley at (970) 491-1960. For general information concerning Cinco de Mayo festivities, call Rich Salas at (970) 491-5722.