Jokers enjoy run in the sun

SEELEY LAKE – With the sun peaking out and temperatures reaching the low 20s, more than 550 runners were eager to get on the course Saturday morning, Feb. 23. Under new management, the annual Snow Joke Half Marathon started with the traditional shotgun blast at 11 a.m. at Seeley Lake Elementary. The runners, hailing from across Montana and 13 other states, were off on the 13.1 mile snow-packed course around Seeley Lake for the 40th year in a row. First place female finisher Nicole Murray, 48 of Whitehall, Mont., set a new course record for women ages 40 and over.

The Cheetah Herders Athletic Club held the first official Snow Joke in 1980. Less than 50 runners gathered for the half marathon around Seeley Lake with the goal of "working up a thirst," said one of the Cheetah Herders Lynn Carey in an interview with the Pathfinder several years ago. The end point was the Club's favorite watering hole, The Filling Station.

In 1983, the Cheetah Herders introduced the Canine Division. Jane Dane was the only pup to participate clocking a 1:40:52. She set the stage for one of the few dog-friendly half marathons.

Popularity continued to grow and gained national attention in the running community. In 2013, the Snow Joke was included in Denise Malan's book "The Runner's Bucket List – 200 Races to Run Before You Die" headlined No Wimps for Montana. Runner's World magazine included the half marathon among six others as one of America's most intriguing winter runs in an online article published Jan. 7, 2015.

Amidst the national attention, the Cheetah Herders sold the race to Big Sky Orogenic Racing and Events (BSORE) in 2014. Original Cheetah Rangers Carey and Pat Caffrey remained emeritus race organizers until 2016 when Caffrey administered the final Joker's Creed and inducted the last group of top three finishers into the Cheetah Rangerhood.

The 40th year brought another change in ownership as Run Wild Missoula and the Missoulian partnered to produce the race. This year 733 racers registered, compared to 645 in 2018.

Nearly 80 racers deferred their entry to 2020 for a $10 fee. This was the first time runners had a deferral option. Run Wild Missoula Executive Director Tony Banovich said this is something they offer because runners get injured or illness prevents them from participating as they had planned. Missoulian Publisher Jim Strauss added while the weather was beautiful in Seeley Lake, roads coming to Seeley Lake were less than ideal for travel.

"We will plan the race as well as we can and run it as well as we can but we can't control the weather," said Strauss.

With deferrals and no-shows, 553 racers proved they had what it took to be a Snow Joker.

"The day went off quite well," wrote Banovich in an email. "We successfully provided the opportunity for over 550 runners and walkers to get outside on a winter day and take part in a healthy, positive activity."

Banovich added that with the temperatures reaching into the 30s by early afternoon, spectators hung out around the finish line creating, "a fun and festive atmosphere."

Seeley Lake native Cera Strumpfer made good on last year's promise to compete again this year. She loved it last year and had just as much fun this year finishing with nearly an identical time.

"I really liked the enthusiasm from all the participants and the spectators. It always feels like everyone is winning the race," said Strumpfer. "I definitely recommend people to run this race at least once in their lives. It's an experience for sure!"

Seeley-Swan High School teacher Lori Messenger also returned for the second year after running the half marathon for the first time in 2011. Running was a fundamentally important activity during her childhood defining her family.

While Messenger said this year was tough, she wrote in an email that she picks a "big one to push myself physically and engage in the kind of self-honesty that arises from putting one foot in front of the other. As an English teacher and a mother, I run to stay in shape and because something in me needs to do it, and because it's a metaphor that still matters to me. I also think it matters that my kids and students see me so visibly and publicly taking on challenges and still growing and learning from them – even as I get slower with age now."

Messenger brought her 15-year-old daughter Freya Jones who has fallen in love with the sport of running. Jones finished ninth overall with a time of 1:38:32.

"I appreciate how it has shown her to love and celebrate being strong in an ongoing era where there is so much confusion about body image in our society for girls and women," wrote Messenger.

First-time Snow Joker Laura Devins of Seeley Lake was unsure how she would do having not trained as much as she had hoped. She did much better than she thought crossing the finish line in 2:00:22.

"The weather was perfect and it felt so good to be out in the snow movin' and groovin'," said Devins. "I loved the energy of the race and it was so fun to run with friends, family, and my dog! Jokers rock!"

Adam Peterman, 23 of Missoula, set a blistering 5:26 minute mile pace. He led the field of 243 men across the finish line in 1:11:14. This was nearly five minutes ahead of his nearest competitor Jason Delaney of Polson.

Murray was the first to finish of the 310 female competitors with a time of 1:30:28. This knocks the 1:31:19 record for the 40+ age female division set by Arla Tree in 1988 out of the Snow Joke record book. Murray finished just over a minute ahead of second place Sierra Tucker of Bozeman, Mont.

Strauss was pleased with how well the race went for the first year. He was grateful for all the sponsors, thanked all the volunteers for making the race happen and appreciated the community support for the runners. He was pleased to hear that runners stopped in at local restaurants following the race and he looks forward to helping further promote what Seeley Lake offers for next year.

Male Local Racer Results (Places overall of 243 racers): Riley Devins, Missoula, 73rd, 1:47:07; Greg Arciello, Potomac, 181st, 2:14:45; John Aglitz, Seeley Lake, 210th, 2:26:22

Female Local Racer Results (Places overall of 310 racers): Laura Devins, Seeley Lake, 79th, 2:00:22; Felicity Derry, Seeley Lake, 90th, 2:02:54; Lori Messenger, 118th, Missoula, 2:08:35; Brie Guilmette, Seeley Lake, 122th, 2:09:57; Taylor Hess, Seeley Lake, 137th, 2:13:59; Cera Strumpfer, Missoula, 187th, 2:24:49; Kristen Baker-Dickinson, Bonner, 271st, 2:53:04

Local Canine Results (Place overall of 58 dogs): Lenora Devins, Seeley Lake, 23rd, 2:00:37

For complete results visit http://competitivetiming.com/snow_joke/#unique-id-2013