Who dominates distance running? The Kenyans, members of a poor African country who nonetheless outrun richer countries because they train at high altitude and (possibly) because they have to outrun the African lions.

Why should it be any different on the Western Slope? Telluride, one of the highest inhabited towns in America, has produced distance runners that — if they haven’t yet dominated on the world stage — at least did pretty awesome at the high school league championships this weekend in Bayfield.

“Part of it is that we can train a little better for the distance events,” said Keith Hampton, the THS track team coach. “I think we are definitely built for that.”

(Telluride athletes, at 8,750 feet, actually train at a higher level than the Kenyans.)
Mainly riding on the backs of their distance runners, Telluride High School took third place in the five team meet, and two runners received especially distinguished honors.
Senior Ryan Hampton was named boys track athlete of the year in the San Juan League, and junior Sarah Carlson given the same honor on the girls’ side, an award she shared with Tristin Montoya, a senior from Mancos.

“When you consider the fact that we don’t have a track here,” said Hampton, “it’s pretty good.”

Dolores took first and Mancos took second.

Ryan Hampton took the conference title in all the long distance categories: 800, 1600, and 3200, and anchored the 4 x 800 team that also won the conference.

Carlson took first in the 1600 and 3200 and second in the 800, in just her first year on the team.

“It was kind of shocking for me, too,” she said. “I ran as fast as I could — I just happen to be good at it.”

The lack of a track leads the kids to running around town and running up the hills, and leads them to better than average lung strength.

“I think the fact that we don’t have a track,” said Carlson, “you kinda learn to breathe without much oxygen.”

Peaking at the right time, the team set 17 personal records at the meet.
And over the season, the team set seven new school records:
• Sarah Carlson: 1600 and 3200 meters.
• Nicole Goldsworthy: Long jump and triple jump.
• Ryan Hampton: 3200 meters.
• Boys 4 x 400 meter relay.
• Girls sprint medley.

They’ll travel to Grand Junction this weekend for the regional championships, going up against teams from all over the Western Slope.

This season was something of a resurgence for the Miners. Three years ago, after the graduation of Telluride’s best-ever track athlete, Kevin Ludwig, the team was virtually nonexistent, with only four members. Last year they managed nine kids, and this year traveling with 16 members.

And, in team track, a big team often means a winning team.

“It’s everything to do with strength in numbers,” said Alan Mathews, coach of the Mancos team.

He’s watched Telluride’s recent comeback.

“They’re getting better,” he said. “They’re finally starting to scratch together some better teams.”