For retired Air Force Lt. Col. Thomas Lear, the Colorado Springs Marathon is more than a race. It is a way to stay connected to the running community and support fellow veterans.

Lear has participated in the Colorado Springs Marathon since its first year, completing different distances depending on the year. This weekend, he plans to run the half marathon. He has raced in about half of the 50 states as part of an effort to run a marathon in every state. But the Colorado Springs Marathon is special to him.

Having a race of this caliber right in your backyard where you don't have to get on a plane, fly, Lear explained. Having it right here in town was a plus.

Lear also values the race because it raises money for Team Red, White & Blue, an organization that helps veterans build connections and stay active in their communities. As a member of Team RWB, Lear said the organization's presence is one of the things that makes the race special.

I like the fact that it's the number one fundraiser for Team RWB, Lear said. It's a great cause as a veteran.

Lear later volunteered to become an ambassador for the race, helping promote it in the Colorado Springs community.

It's easy for me to do, Lear said. I love the organization.

For first-time runners, Lear recommends breaking the race into smaller, manageable goals rather than focusing on the total distance.

The best advice I ever got was to take any race of any distance, especially if it's one you haven't, the distance you haven't done before, one mile at a time, Lear said. Just think of it as, I just need to get to the next aid station.

Lear's own running experience extends well beyond traditional marathons. While training for his first marathon as part of an Ironman triathlon, he cross-trained with swimming, cycling, running and weight training. He also once ran 30 miles as part of a 52-mile course while crewing for an athlete competing in the Ultraman endurance race in Hawaii. His best marathon time came in Portland, Oregon, where he finished in just under 4 hours and 20 minutes.

Now, Lear hopes his experience encourages more people to participate in the Colorado Springs Marathon, whether they are ready for a half marathon or simply want to try the 5K. He cautions runners against attempting a long-distance race without proper training but said the 5K can provide an introduction to the event.

It's a great feeling to see the crowds coming out, to see the sellouts continue, Lear said. If you've ever wanted to try a little bit longer distance than you've tried before, this is a great race to do it.

Friday, Oct. 2 Packet Pickup

11 a.m.6:30 p.m. Pikes Peak Center, Studio Bee Participants are asked to pick up their race packets Friday.

Saturday, Oct. 3 Race Day

6 a.m. Event site & gear check open 7 a.m. Marathon & Half Marathon start 7:30 a.m. 5K starts 8 a.m. Post-race party begins 9 a.m. 5K awards 10 a.m. Half Marathon awards 10:45 a.m. Kids K starts 11:15 a.m. Full Marathon awards 1:30 p.m. Finish line closes 1:45 p.m. Post-race party ends

TEAM RWB

Team Red, White & Blue is using the Colorado Springs Marathon to build community, promote physical activity and help veterans maintain a sense of purpose after leaving the military.

John Reyes, Team RWBs military installation coordinator in Colorado, said the nonprofit is focused on connecting active-duty service members, veterans and civilian supporters through healthy activities and community events. Reyes, who served 22 years in the military, said many veterans miss the camaraderie and sense of purpose that come with military service.

These events specifically, they bring that aspect back to them, Reyes stated. Now Im surrounded by positive people, same mindset, and were doing it in a healthy way.

Team RWB is a nationwide nonprofit focused on health, wellness and community for veterans, active-duty military members and supporters. At this weekends Colorado Springs Marathon, Team RWB will have about 20 entries participating as a group. Amanda Wood will run the entire 26.2-mile marathon, while other members will join her at different points along the course.

Reyes said the group will grow as the race progresses, with participants carrying American, military branch, 9/11 and POW flags.

At the finish line, its just a group of 20 or 30 people running as one, finishing together, Reyes explained.

Reyes said the organization is open to civilians as well as military members and veterans, with civilian supporters playing an important role in helping bridge the gap between military and civilian communities.

They play a huge part of the role, Reyes said. We need supporters and they need supporters.

This year, Team RWB is also dedicating the final mile of its marathon participation to the service members killed during Operation Gothic Serpent in Somalia in 1993, the battle depicted in the movie Black Hawk Down.

Reyes said the final mile is meant to recognize the service members who had to travel on foot back to their base during the battle while carrying heavy equipment.

Team RWB will be at the Colorado Springs Marathon Race Expo from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. Reyes said joining the organization is free through its app, where members can find activities including pickleball, paddleboarding and archery.

____

Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.

After first discovering the bears of Alaskas Katmai National Park on social media, Colorado resident Nolene Metzger decided watching them online wasnt enough. Metzger, who has lived in Colorado for 25 years, traveled to Katmai to see the bears in person during the Fat Bear Week season.

Her interest began around 2023 after she started following the bears online. She calls Otis, an older bear known for his patience while fishing, her gateway bear. Otis passed away in 2023.

I just started watching because of him, Metzger said of Otis.

Her fascination grew as she followed other bears, including Grazer and her cubs. Metzger watched the cubs grow and said seeing the bears in person gave her a different perspective on wildlife.

It was amazing just to see them in person and to be in their presence, because we are really in their home, she explained.

That experience also reinforced the importance of respecting wildlife and maintaining a safe distance. One of Metzgers favorite moments came when she and her husband encountered a bear named Marshmallow while walking between viewing platforms.

We had to back off the trail into the trees so that we were out of the way of the bear, she said.

Metzger also captured video of bears swimming and fishing in the river, including cubs trying to keep up with their mother. YOU CAN WATCH THE VIDEOS AND PICTURES SHARED WITH KOAA AT THE TOP OF THIS ARTICLE.

You could see their legs paddling, especially the little cubs trying to keep up with mom, she said. They would just dive down a little bit and up came a fish in their mouths.

Metzger said visitors dont necessarily have to travel deep into the wilderness to see bears at Katmai. She said she spotted one shortly after getting off the plane.

She also hopes her experience encourages people to support national parks and learn more about wildlife conservation. Metzger contributes to the Katmai Conservancy, which raises money for the park, rangers and research.

She said Fat Bear Week has also become an educational tool, with teachers using the bears to teach children about wildlife and conservation.

For Metzger, the trip offered a lesson that extends beyond Alaska.

People just need to stay aware of whats happening at their national parks and public lands and advocate for those, she said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

____

Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.

Buena Vista police officers used recently completed CPR and first aid training to help save the life of a choking infant this week.

According to a social media post by the Buena Vista Police Department, officers were called to a report of an infant who was choking and not breathing on Sunday. Sgt. Frazer Pomfret and Anitta Wroten were the first officers to arrive, followed by Officer Stephen Caffrey. Chaffee County Fire Protection District and Chaffee County EMS also responded.

The department said its officers had completed CPR and first aid recertification Sept. 16, including training on how to respond to choking infants.

The department specifically thanked Evan Brady with Chaffee County EMS, who taught the recent recertification, as well as Chaffee County Sheriff's Office communications officers for quickly dispatching first responders to the call.

The department said the incident underscored the importance of maintaining first aid and emergency response skills.

You can watch video shared by the Buena Vista Police of the rescue at the top of this article.

____

Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.