4th Annual Cruise-a-thong officially "a Hoot!"
After a successful Bloody Mary Showdown over 100 not-so-average participants set off on the strenuous cruise-a-thong course. Participants came from far and near and included representation from the great states of California, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, Arizona, Montana,Texas, Utah, and Colorado. The course was slow this year with average times far longer than previous years; the organizers attribute this to a notable and significant amount of training in which many non-athletes allegedly partook in pre-race. After a grueling cruiser bike ride, hot flip flop walk and refreshing tube (with optional pond float) the first participants crossed the line in just over 1 hour. The last finisher crossed in nearly 3 hours.
A big thank you goes out from the organizers to all participants, volunteers, sponsors and those that in some other way supported the Cruise-a-Thong, Bloody Mary Showdown and post-event Colorado Housing, Inc Fundraiser. As you know, we are about having a great time, but we are also about raising awareness and funds for things near and dear to us like our river, our Riverwalk and affordable housing in our community.&nbs; p; And if you do not know, we could not put on this event without your help…and of course, it would not be as much fun without you! Thank you! We are already looking forward to July 24, 2010!
And the official awards go out to:
Mean time: Nadine Forton with a time of 2:09:49
Median: Craig Reikenberg with a time of 2:16:62
Mode Time was 2:25 with 6 place holders of whom only Michael and Mely Whiting wrote their names legibly.
Other spontenous and inspired awards went out to:
Most Average Fetus: Stewart "FunkyCold" and Dave Bellina's, Pagosa Springs, CO negative 4 month old
Biggest Stud: Jackson Wilton, the toddler
Best Cat Herder: Mary Kurt-Mason
Best Tow Package: Nicole Dominguez & Paul
Hottest Momma: Annie Sewell
Biggest Tool: Justin Brady, Greenwood, IN
Congratulations to Jenny Highum for Pagosa's 1st Best Bloody Mary!
Third Annual Cruise-a-Thong a Doozie!
With over 60 participants the 2008 C.A.T. was a whooper of a fun day. Stellar blue skies and warm San Juan water made the day not only entertaining but pleasantly summery, unlike previous years that provided lightening, rain and snow. As always, thanks to the volunteers, sponsors and participants for making this event the most sure-bet entertaining event in Pagosa Springs! PHOTOS
SECOND ANNUAL "CRUISE-A-THONG" ALMOST DOUBLES PARTICIPATION!
 The 2007 Cruise-A-Thong started out significantly warmer than the previous year, though the weather quickly turned to a downpour as the participants arrived at the first comfort station. Judge Kevin Weiser witnessed such new tactics as gutter swimming and traffic splashing. A record three mac-trucks were said to have blown air horns at herd mentality participants. The Wrong Brothers once again proved their incredible class, taking the team award for most style with home-made bikes, thongy costumes and a general carefree attitude.
The race managed to raise over $500 for river improvement projects, and came close to meeting the towns fun quota for the summer.
FIRST EVER "CRUISE-A-THONG" A HUGE SUCCESS!!
The first ever Cruise-A-Thong, the triathlon for the not-quite-hardcore athlete, kicked off an "above average" weekend of fun in downtown Pagosa Springs. The triathlon, also known as the "Race for the Average Joe," attracted twenty odd
participants for its first year, resulting in what organizer Ben Witting called "enough fun to stop traffic!" The race was held around noon, Saturday, September 23, and over $500 was raised for Town Riverwalk improvements.
Participants endured a grueling course consisting of a 1.5 mile cruiser bike race, a half-mile foot race in flip flops, and a bracing inner tube ride on the chilly San Juan River. Due to the complicated and capricious scoring system (the winner of the race is the person with the "most average" time), participants tended to progress through the course as a unified group. Many racers described a strong "bonding experience" -- "when I would get ahead, I felt this gravitational pull back to the group," noted one participant. "I just couldn't break away from the pack."
Winner of the race's grand prize -- the "average Joe" award -- was local business owner, Ron Bubb. Proudly referring to himself as "jack of all trades, master of none,' Ron says that winning this award is consistent with his philosophy towards life: "I like being just average. I mean, I may not ever really impress anybody. But then again, I don't disappoint them either."
 Tension mounted as racers progressed towards the final and most terrifying portion of the race -- the technical inner tube ride through Davey's Wave. Rated Class 1 to Class 1+ by local kayakers, racers were clearly nervous about this section, with some even opting out of the tubing portion. Denying he was a "chicken," participant John Steinert defended his decision to skateboard instead of tube the river by claiming he didn't want to "get his hair wet."
Despite near-freezing water temperatures, most racers were not deterred however from tubing the 200 yard section of the river, with 11-year old Emma Donharl braving Davey's Wave not once, but twice. Says Ms. Donharl of the tube ride: "it was cool."
In the true spirit of being "average," many participants received prizes at an awards ceremony at Kip's following the race. Singer-songwriter Brooks Lindner crooned tunes for the crowd for several hours, thrilling listeners with a melancholy yet touching version of "Cruiseathong: Are You Average?" Organizers are already planning next years event, with photos and testimonials available here.
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REGISTRATION
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Download and complete the appropriate form for the 2010 race:
INDIVIDUAL
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TEAM
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BLOODY MARY SHOWDOWN REGISTRATION
Adobe Reader is needed. 
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CONTACT INFORMATION
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EMAIL: cruiseathong@gmail.com
CRUISE-A-THONG
PO Box 5444
Pagosa Springs, Colorado 81147
TEL: (970) 946-6794
FAX: (970) 731-5583
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