Mike Kishimoto Steps Down as Strawberry Shortcut Director After 6 Years

Mike Kishimoto is stepping down. After six years as the face and engine of the Strawberry Shortcut, the man who has treated Glenwood Springs’ premier running event as a labor of love will hand the reins to Brian Passenti in 2027, making this year’s 50th annual race, scheduled for Sunday, June 21, his final go-around as the frontman.

The news lands not as a sudden departure, but as the closing of a long, rhythmic chapter. Kishimoto didn’t just take over; he inherited a legacy. He stepped into the role for Kevin and Joy White, but his roots in this community’s running scene run deep, stretching back to when the Shortcut was still hand-timed and the finish line felt like a personal handshake rather than a digital chip. He was at the finish line when the air smelled of damp earth and nervous sweat, long before the current infrastructure took shape.

Nancy Reinisch knows this. She leaned on Kishimoto’s advice for years during the popular Mother’s Day Mile, watching him navigate the chaotic beauty of race organization with a steady hand. But his contribution to Glenwood’s athletic identity isn’t limited to road races. For 22 years, he served as the right-hand man to longtime Glenwood Springs track and field coach Blake Risner. He wasn’t just watching from the sidelines; he was the hurdles coach, working with kids on the 100-meter, 300-meter, and high hurdles, trying to teach them how to fly over the barriers. “I enjoyed my time at Glenwood High,” Kishimoto said, a simple statement that carries the weight of decades of early mornings and muddy cleats.

Bill Deter, president of the Glenwood Springs branch of the Bank of Colorado, the title sponsor, has seen the machinery from the financial side since 2001. Deter handles the marketing end, the big-picture visibility, while Kishimoto manages the granular details — the logistics that keep the wheels from falling off the cart. Deter doesn’t mince words about the man he’s watching leave the driver’s seat. “I can’t say enough about Mike, his selfless approach and his dedication to the Shortcut,” Deter said. “It’s been a pleasure for me to be a part of it.”

There’s a warmth to the way Kishimoto has operated. He didn’t just manage a race; he curated a community event. The Strawberry Shortcut features distances of 10 kilometers, 5 kilometers, and a 1-mile family fun run to conclude the morning’s festivities. The start and finish line sit underneath the Grand Avenue Bridge at Bethel Plaza, a location that has become as much a part of the town’s identity as the river itself. A live band plays, the Rotary pancake breakfast draws crowds, the Bank of Colorado cash vault stands as a silent sentinel, and the beer garden provided by Glenwood Canyon Brew Pub offers a cold reward for the weary. It is all staged in the same location, creating a morning that feels less like a competition and more like a festival.

Kishimoto is hoping to break the 500-runner mark once again this year. “Our course is set up pretty well for those numbers, and with preregistration going the way it is, we’re well on the way to another big turnout,” he said. The numbers are real, the enthusiasm is palpable, and the community is ready to celebrate.

This year’s race adds a touch of nostalgia with a ’70s-themed costume contest. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers, and there’s a $500 cash prize for the winner, a sum that feels significant in a town where every dollar counts. It’s a small detail, but it speaks to the spirit of the event — playful, competitive, and deeply rooted in local pride.

Registration is available online at Strawberryshortcut.org, and for those who prefer the tactile reality of paper and ink, in-person registration is available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 20, on the east side of the Bank of Colorado. The details are clear. The date is set. The man who built this is preparing to step back, leaving behind a race that has become a cornerstone of Glenwood Springs’ cultural calendar.

You can feel the weight of that history in the air as June approaches. The bridge will echo with footsteps, the pancakes will sizzle, and the community will gather one last time under Kishimoto’s watchful eye. It’s a final dance, yes, but one that promises to be remembered for its rhythm, its resilience, and its relentless dedication to the people who run it.