The green and white balloon arch complimented a cloudless blue sky the morning of the Run of the Century. At the starting line, the arch swayed in a slight breeze as runners took their mark for the 5K. Competitive collegiate athletes checked their watches and with determination on their faces prepared for the sound of the shot. The other 100+ runners, including alumni and community members, stretched and engaged in light conversation as their race was less about time and more about the shared experience.
As the moment drew near, spectators fanned out realizing the historic significance as the legendary Coach Joe I. Vigil raised his arm and fired the starting gun.
As soon as Coach Vigil, Ph.D., Class of 1953 and 1959, emeritus professor of health, physical education and recreation, arrived on the scene he was beset with admirers, colleagues, former students, and current athletes hoping for a quick visit and, of course, a selfie with the U.S. Hall of Fame Coach.
The activities throughout the weekend connected former and current runners in that Long Green Mile. Adams State Cross Country and Track and Field Head Coach Damon Martin, Class of 1987, along with his staff Emma Wren and Sadie Baker, Class of 2019, spent months planning and organizing the Run of the Century, celebrating 50 years of a national championship program.
Festivities began Friday night with the premier of the documentary, “Chasing Excellence” by filmmaker Colby Hunt, son of Adams State Athletic Hall of Famer Larry Joe Hunt, Class of 1983. Narrated by Colby Hunt and joined with voices of alumni, running sport journalists and Coaches Martin and Vigil, the documentary captured not only the history but the spirit of the championship program and its continuing legacy.
Clutching copies of “Chasing Excellence: The Remarkable Life and Inspiring Vigilosophy of Coach Joe I. Vigil,” crowds gathered in Vistas on Saturday to have their book autographed by Coach Vigil and author Pat Melgares, Class of 1988, national champion and Adams State athletic hall of famer.
The sun shone throughout the day and warming with anticipation, participants circled round for the unveiling of the monument dedicated to the Adams State 1720 All-Americans, 227 individual national champions, 12 Olympians, and 56 national team titles.
Martin said: “It is a tribute to those who in the beginning were coming to dream and build something special with the architect Coach Vigil. Now those that come do so with a huge target on their back, and handle that pressure with the grace and unshatterable belief that this is their calling and passion. As many of these student athletes came to Alamosa to embark on this journey of Chasing Excellence, they had no idea of the training program and sacrifices they would have to make to choose this seldom traveled path…This monument will stand as a tribute to honor you and your dedication to chasing excellence, and doing it for something bigger than yourself.”
Current and former runners captured the moment taking photos of their name inscribed on the obelisk that stands in front of Rex Stadium as witness to the 50-year winning history of the incredible running sport at Adams State.
Bronze plaques will grace three sides, the fourth is dedicated to future successes. The wall facing west tells the story of the Adams State dynasty; the opposite side has every national championship team title, each team member, as well as every coaching staff member; the north panel includes every student athlete who earned All-American honors, a denotation of each individual national championship, and Olympic rings for those who competed in the Olympic games. Due to current bronze shortages the plaques are yet to be placed. Temporary banners were fixed to the monument for the unveiling.
“I hope this monument will be a source of pride for alumni and the University,” Martin said. “It is truly dedicated to those men and women student athletes and coaches who made it happen here at Adams State.”
The weekend events ended with a presentation by Vigil and Martin, who also entertained questions and comments from the audience in Richardson Hall Auditorium on Saturday afternoon. Any and all events to do with the Adams State running program have to include Alamosa Campus Café cinnamon rolls swimming in butter and icing. They were served Sunday after a casual morning run. Off-campus socials on Friday and Saturday evenings provided a time for relaxing and reminiscing.
