Only a last-second kick from a much younger competitor kept Simon Gutierrez from the winner’s circle Thursday at the 37th annual Rescue Run at snowy Palmer Park.

Then again, life isn’t too bad for the longtime runner and physical therapist. A little more than six minutes after he was edged at the 5K finish line, he watched his new wife, Donna Garcia-Gutierrez, win the women’s division in the 5K race.

And to think that just two years ago at the same race, the two met for the first time.

“I think all we said is ‘Hello’ after that race,” Simon said. “Then we started talking a little bit at other races. We have such a great running community, and you never know what can happen. As it turned out, we got married last May.”

Thursday’s races – 429 took part in the 5K, while another 319 made the 10K journey – benefited El Paso County Search and Rescue, an all-volunteer organization that not only provides search and rescue service throughout the county, but also offers educational training at several local events each year.

Gutierrez, 48, started out strong, leading from the start with an aggressive plan on a snow-packed trail that grew more treacherous throughout the race as snow intensified.

“The uphill parts suit me more,” Gutierrez said. “I checked out the first part of the course before the race and saw that the uphill would be fine, but I’d have to be careful going down. Zack (Kuzma) was pretty quick at the end. The harder I ran, the faster he went, and at my age, I’m not going to outkick anyone.”

That became evident as Kuzma, a 2013 Cheyenne Mountain graduate and sophomore runner at Colorado, made his move late and ran down Gutierrez in the final straightaway, earning the victory as he lunged through the finish line in a bang-bang finish.

For Kuzma, perhaps the triumph will serve as a springboard for his track season in Boulder after a rough transition to Division I athletics.

“This will definitely jump-start me,” said Kuzma. “It’s been a rough ride. CU has so many guys that can go fast, and that’s awesome to see, but it’s a little intimidating, too. Winning here the way I did will re-motivate me and help me get back on the train to get back after it.”

Kuzma finished in 17 minutes, 58 seconds, while Gutierrez finished a split second later. Carlos Ruibal hit the finish line in 18:23.

In the 10K, Rampart graduate Jordan Hoffman got in a great workout and enjoyed his chance at tackling imposing hills, a chore not as accessible now that he’s running collegiately at Colorado Mesa in Grand Junction.

“We usually have to drive out to the trailheads to get decent hills out there,” said Hoffman, who recorded a time of 37:56 in the 10K. “I love coming back here for (semester) break.

“I can get some good hills in and enjoy the running community here as well. And I love going out in the cold and in the snow.”

Amanda Ewing won the women’s 10K in 43:43.

The elements took the aggressiveness out of Garcia-Gutierrez’s plan, but she still won the women’s 5K by nearly two minutes.

“It was a slow run, but I’m happy to get out and start the year out right,” she said, looking up at her husband. “And here we are, two years later, married.”