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Mother and daughter team-up to complete the Colorado Half Marathon

Shannon McFarland sprints to the finish of the Colorado Half Marathon. Shannon was one of two 12-year-old girls competing in the event. Carol McFarland and daughter Shannon gut through the miles of the Colorado Half Marathon. The event was held on Mother’s Day.

By Carin R. Kirkegaard with Photos provided by Carol McFarland

Castle Pines North (CPN) residents, Carol and Shannon McFarland decided that rather than going for brunch on Mother’s Day they would complete a half-marathon together.

As a Spanish teacher at Rock Canyon High School, Carol heard about the Colorado Marathon and Half Marathon through work. The high school had members from the school’s staff sign up to participate and even offered training for the participants. Carol, knowing her daughter’s love for running, decided they should try it together.

The McFarland’s started their training 2-3 months before the actual event with their longest run being a four-mile loop through the neighborhoods in CPN. In addition to the runs with her mom, Shannon also had soccer and track to help with her training.

The morning of the event was chilly and the Rock Canyon participants were bundled up in old workout sweats to keep warm. Surprising to Carol, runners shed their layers as the day progressed and, after the event, United Parcel Service (UPS) picked up the clothing and donated the discards to local charities.

After roughly three hours of running, jogging and walking, the McFarlands finished the race in 3 hours. Shannon had the claim to fame of being one of two 12-year-old girls who completed the half marathon.

The Colorado Marathon takes place in Fort Collins and is considered one of the most beautiful and scenic routes in the country – not to mention one of the fastest marathon courses. The race takes runners down the Poudre River Canyon. It is slow 1,200-foot decline that provides race participants with a fast course.

As a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon, the Colorado marathon brings runners from across the country and even from outside the United States.

To learn more about this event visit the website at www.fortcollinsmarathon.com.

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