Highway 83 was a wall of people in the southbound lane running north to Boy Scout Road Saturday morning. Spectators came out to cheer. The Filling Station sign invited all the racers in for a free beer...only 13 miles to go. Photo to the south from the top of The Filling Station.
Michael Marstaeller dressed as the abominable Snow Joker.
Two Bud Lights were stashed in the snow from mile seven to the end of the race for wildland fire crew members out of Augusta. The signs along the route are always good for a laugh. Sayings this year included: "The faster you run, the faster your done." "My quads are on fire." "So you like did this on purpose?" "You know your a joker if... you trained all winter for this ridiculous race... you laughed at something dumb along the way... and that dumb thing turned out to be you." "Running is cheaper than therapy." "Do people running at 6am know about not running at 6am?" "I like my morning runs more than I like most people."
Runners coming around the lake on the backside of Boy Scout Road. Runners who have run the course in the past agreed that conditions were exceptionally icy and uneven footing this year.
Seeley Lake's John Aglitz finished in 251th place for the men in a time of 2:27:40. Aglitz has participated in the Snow Joke for the past three years.
Adam Peterman flies by between mile 8 and 9, around 42 minutes into the race. His finish time of 1:09:25 is one of three times in the 41-year history of the race faster than 1:10:00.
A lead group of racers running through Seeley Lake. Winner for the women Jennifer Lichter is the front left with red gloves. She finished in 1:24:32. Behind her with the pink hat was last year's champion and Master's class record breaker Nicole Murray. Also pictured is 15-year-old Chase Green, front right in the blue, that broke the Junior Class record. Green finished 9th overall for the men in a time of 1:20:24.
Skylar Rispens and her mother Vadine wave as they head north on Highway 83.
The 2nd - 7th place finishers coming through Seeley Lake. They all finished with times from 1:16:02-1:18:26. Pictured (L-R): Winner of Master Class Jimmy Grant, Field Soosloff, Layne Ryerson, Josh Panasuk (hidden in back), Michael Kaiser and Michael Adams (green-front).
SEELEY LAKE – Nearly 700 runners "Took the Leap" and ran around Seeley Lake in the 41st annual Snow Joke Half Marathon. This was the second time in race history the Snow Joke has fallen on Leap Day. The last time was in 1992 when the Cheetah Herders were still organizing the race. For the second year, Run Wild Missoula and the Missoulian organized the race and were excited about the turn out. Racers agreed it was a beautiful course and a beautiful day to "Take the Leap on Leap Day."
There were 687 finishers of the 827 registrants, 385 women and 302 men. Registrants and finishers were both up nearly 200 from 2019. This was the third largest race field held by the Snow Joke in its history.
When the race started at 11 a.m. temperatures were in the low 30s with clouds and light breeze. By early afternoon, the sun was out to welcome racers at the finish.
The 1981 course record set by Jim Hatcher still stands. While Missoula's Adam Peterman set a blistering pace on Highway 83 being clocked by law enforcement between 10-11 miles per hour, the icy course conditions on the backside of Boy Scout Road were slower. He finished in 1:09:25. Peterman set the third fastest time in 41 years and was only the third time posted faster than 1:10.
Jennifer Lichter took the gold for the women crossing the finish line in 1:24:32.44. This was five minutes ahead of last year's champion Nicole Murray.
Murray broke her own record set last year for the Master's 40+ age category finishing in 1:29:53, 35 seconds faster than last year.
Another age group record set this year was in the Junior (15 and under) class. Chase Green, 15, finished in 1:20:24, 47 seconds faster than Aiden Reed's record set in 2013.
Racers were in high spirits and enjoyed the energy of the race. Many return every year and others took the leap for the first time.
Skylar Rispens from Great Falls ran the race for the first time with her mother Vadine from Helena. While Vadine regularly participates in foot races she felt this is a great kick off to the running season. This was Skylar's first race since she ran cross country in high school and is excited to get back into running. They both agreed it was a great course and they met a lot of great people on the course.
"Everyone is just so friendly and it is great to be back in Seeley," said Skylar who worked for the Pathfinder last summer.
Vadine loved the support from the locals cheering and offering support to the racers along the way.
"There was someone handing out bottles of water out of the back of his truck...the gummy bears at the Tamaracks [Resort] was definitely a high point," said Vadine. "Murray also appreciated the doggy treats. He fueled up half way through the course."
They both agreed that they are going to try and make this an annual mother-daughter event.
This year's aid stations were staffed with 14 volunteers from the Seeley Lake Nordic Club. Blackfoot, the Missoulian and Run Wild Missoula also provided volunteers for the race.
Run Wild Missoula appreciated all the sponsor support this year and are looking forward to a great race again next year.
For complete results visit http://competitivetiming.com/snow_joke/#unique-id-2020
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