Mark Steward is a former competitive distance runner and motocross racer. Those sports have led him to mountain bike racing.

“Running just tore me up, so I started riding,” he said. “I thought maybe I could combine my endurance skills and my motocross skills with this sport, and it seemed to work out pretty good.”

In his second individual event, the Colorado Springs resident finished runner-up in Category 2 (40-49 years) of the opening race of the Carmichael Training Systems Sand Creek Series on Sunday at Bear Creek Regional Park.

Contested on Bear Creek Terrace, the event drew more than 100 riders. The first in a series of six races showcased competitors from all skill levels, “from the first-time racers to the pros,” race director Andy Bohlmann said. “They have a great time.”

At age 13, Wyatt Geibig of Colorado Springs competed in the Junior 15-18 group and placed sixth. The second-year racer was pleased with his finish.

“It’s good because I’m the second youngest,” he said.

Geibig, a member of the Front Rangers youth cycling team, races on and off the road but prefers offroad.

“Mountain biking is a bit more challenging,” he said. “It takes a bit more endurance, a bit more skill.”

Bohlmann allows some younger racers who won’t be a safety risk, such as those from Front Rangers, to compete in the 15-18 group.

Front Rangers rider Hunter Reehoorn, 14, of Colorado Springs has ridden the course but had to sit out while recovering from a knee injury.

“I think it’s a good intermediate course,” he said. “It’s not too technical. You definitely want a few pretty easy races under your belt first.”

The 2¼-mile course on a hillside at 10,700 feet provided a variety of challenges with switchbacks, berms and rock formations.

“It was really fun, actually, for being a park and close to town,” said pro racer Kelli Emmett, a Colorado Springs resident who has competed on the World Cup circuit and was the top-ranked female competitor in the race.

“The course was a blast,” said Kelli Lusk, Mountain Bike Events and Program Director for USA Cycling. “It had elements of everything.  I took a spill on the first lap, but then I was good.”

Pro rider Lindsey Bishop of the Springs had one of the rougher crashes, suffering a gash on her left thigh.

“As soon as I lost focus, I crashed,” said Bishop, who recovered to post the top pro women’s time.

J.J. Clark posted the top pro men’s time.

Future races – June 24, July 1 and 8 – also will be at Bear Creek Terrace. The final race of the series will be Aug. 1 at the Air Force Academy as part of the State Games of America.

The Sand Creek International Classic, a 51/2-mile race in the series, will be June 13 at Cheyenne Mountain State Park and the Sand Creek Fall Classic will be Oct. 17 at Palmer Park. Bear Creek Terrace also will be the site of the Short Track XC June 12.

Doherty’s Kenny Chambers wants to finish in the top three in all his events at state. Photo by JERILEE BENNETT,THE GAZETTE