Special thanks go out to all of our volunteers without whom this event couldn't have happened: Rick Garcia provided constant support, and then on race day erected an oasis of shade, chairs, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, bananas and Gatorade above the Aberdeen Quarry with his wife Kathy. Heather Nelson, Loren Ahonen, Adam Brown, Erin Rogers and Sean Brown
staffed this area for the duration of the race. They provided nutrition, as well as moral support; directed a tricky course crossing; monitored one of the sketchier trails on the course; and managed cows and riders at one of the two gates we needed to watch.
Brian Riepe was instrumental in early planning, materials creation, photography, logistics, course clean-up, registration, results, what else? Susan DeMattei was involved start to finish: among other things, she helped make trophies, headed up registration, watched a gate for two hours and organized things in IOOF Park after the race.
Greg Morin and Ann Michel spent the entire day timing the event and compiling all of the results. Also helping out with registration were Steve Marler, Mary Burt, Steve Mabry and Aaron Huckstep. John Holder, in addition to being on course and providing peace of mind and helping to break down the "oasis", also did some time at a gate with the cows. Chris Hanna from CB Printers did our race poster; Dave Kozlowski provided our course map; Bryan Miller, our IT specialist, got said map and race results up onto the website; Matt Burt provided our tunes at the park; and Jordan Carr, Mitch Fedak and Ryan Sullivan were always quick to lend a hand.
The Sage Burner running race organizers Jake Jones, Scott Drum, Chris Martinez and Christina Buchanan were key in the entire planning effort as well as with race day execution and clean-up.
Barb Carroll at Mochas provided gift certificates for volunteers and also opened up at 5am both Saturday and Sunday to feed and caffeinate staff and competitors. Dave Taylor, from the KOA Campround, provided us with goodie bags for the competitors.
Supporters for both the Original Growler as well as the Thursday night Growler Series races includes: Pie Zans Pizzeria; Back at the Ranch Home Furnishings; Tune Up Bike and Ski; Tomichi Cycles; Rock 'n' Roll Sports; Crested Butte Printers; The Gunnison Bank; Alpine Orthopedics; Crested Butte Builders. Supporters from outside the valley include Oakley; Ergon; Magura and the Oskar Blues Brewery.

The Growler was waged on classic CO singletrack Photo Riepe
Through all of this, someone who helped may have slipped through the cracks. If we forgot about you, we apologize. Finally, big thanks to all of the competitors who woke up early, braved some chilly weather and pedaled out into the wild blue sagebrush. It was kinda blueish in that flat, early morning light. Really, it was. Guess you had to of been there. Perhaps next year!