Full Slate to Compete in International Race

The International Pancake Day Race Feb. 17 will see a full slate of 15 women competing for the win. Racing in the 66th contest against Olney, England, will be Sindice Jimenez, 39-year-old mother of three; Lindsay Claus, 35, a first-grade dual language teacher at McDermott Elementary; and Elizabeth Irby, 44, registered nurse for Seward County WIC, all first-time racers.
Returning runners include Tessy Barnett, 41, a day care provider, who has competed for more than 10 years; Hannah Belton, 24, Southlawn second-grade teacher, racing for the second time; and Heather Olmstead, 28, who raced in 2012 and 2013.
Other first-timers include Monica Vega, 25, sports supervisor at the Liberal Recreation Center; Fatima Ortega, 27, ESL para at McDermott; Emma Diaz, 40, McDermott teacher; Ruby Diaz de leon, 29, dual language Kindergarten teacher at McDermott; Jessica Palacios, 24, dual language second-grade teacher at McDermott; Janine Varnes, 26, second-grade teacher at McDermott; Veronica Zamora, 20, paraprofessional at McDermott; Brianda Gonzalez, 23, McDermott; and Crystal Tiscareno, 22, McDermott.

The Men’s Pacer Racer will feature eight runners: Ed Kentner, 54, director at National Carriers; Mayor Joe Denoyer, 54, KSCB radio personality; Kelby Tomlinson, 24, a USD 480 teacher and professional athlete with the San Francisco Giants; Jim Babinec, 52, educator at West Middle School; Tyson Small, 32, who works at Heritage Feeders in Sublette; Tyson McGuire, 30, teacher at MacArthur; Tony McIntosh, 43; and Kevin Altamirano, 21, para at Liberal High School.

The Men’s Race is set for 11:40 a.m. Feb 17, while the main event, the women’s International race against Olney, will start at 11:55 a.m. For a complete schedule of events, visit the Pancake Day website at www.pancakeday.net.