Summit 5K draws a crowd

Event has 745 runners, joggers, walkers finish race

Although it may have been a hazy, lazy spring afternoon Sunday for many residents across the Flathead Valley, more than 900 fitness fanatics ran, jogged or walked their way from the starting point to the finish line in the First National Bank of Montana Summit Classic 5K Run.

The Summit stresses family fitness with this annual event, and there was plenty of that to go around.

Moms, dads and youngsters galore were busy burning calories, some at a rapid, heart-thumping rate, or just plain working up a good old fashioned sweat on the streets neighboring The Summit in the early afternoon hours. Temperatures pushed the 60-degree mark.

The date switch, from Saturday to Sunday, was a big hit in terms of producing a huge turnout. The classic did not have to compete with an array of local sporting activities, such as soccer, baseball, softball and track meets, which typically are held on Saturdays. That made this the big event of the day and allowed many participants to do the classic for the first time in several years.

"It was a great success," said Krista Schaefer, event coordinator at The Summit.

"We are very pleased. There were a lot of new people who haven't done it before. That was great."

More than 400 had signed up for the classic by Monday.

"Thursday, Friday was huge," Schaefer said of registration.

"People were entering like crazy."

Even on Saturday, past the deadline.

"We were just hoping for over 700," Schaefer said. "We got over 900 (to register), which is amazing. We hope it continues to go up."

There were 745 finishers Sunday. Last year's total was 559 on a cool, gray day.

A pair of runners from Flathead High School, juniors Seth Svennungsen and Tera Klein, along with Shannon Thompson raced off with the honor of being the fastest male and female finishers. Svennungsen completed the 3.1-mile course with a time of 17 minutes, 20 seconds. Thompson and Klein both finished in 20:17.

Svennungsen was competing in the classic for the first time since eighth grade. On Saturday, he was running the 1,600 and 3,200 for the Braves track team in Butte.

Klein competed with the Bravettes track squad Saturday in Great Falls, placing fourth in the 3,200 (11:57.41).

Those two meets have kept Svennungsen and Klein away from the classic in previous years.

The event turned out to be a generational sporting activity for one family - five generations to be exact - Rosetta Carpenter, 87, Frances Bruch, 64, Rene Bishop, 46, Brittany Bishop, 23, and Madeline Bishop, 5. They started together, and finished together.

Rosetta prepared for the 5K by walking her dog three times a day.

"I suppose a half mile (three times a day)," she said.

"It took me 20 minutes each time. About an hour (total) every day."

Brittany works at The Summit and signed-up for the run along with her mom, Rene. The others quickly followed suit.

"It hurt, but not that bad," said Frances.

"I may do it again next …. year. Not tomorrow."

TOP 15

MALE FINISHERS

1. Seth Svennungsen, Kalispell 17:20

2. Brian Merseal, Columbia Falls 18:16

3. Richard Menicke, Whitefish 18:24

4. William Vitale, Kalispell 19:01

5. Cory Hattel, Kalispell 19:07

6. Peter Vanhorn, Columbia Falls 19:33

7. Kris Caister, Whitefish 19:36

8. Grady Bennett, Kalispell 19:39

9. Cory Wilson, Kalispell 19:47

10. Jandy Cox, Kalispell 20:09

11. Trever Stolte, Columbia Falls 20:16

12. Rich Boyer, Kalispell 20:20

13. Adam Clark, Whitefish 20:55

14. Kohl Bebee, Whitefish 21:07

15. Steve Muller, Kalispell 21:09

FEMALE FINISHERS

1. Shannon Thompson, Kalispell 20:17

2. Tera Klein, Kalispell 20:17

3. Erica X Duffy, Kalispell 20:54

4. Claire Anderson, Whitefish 21:02

5. Molly Schwarz, Kalispell 21:58

6. Cassi Cowan, Kalispell 22:07

7. Linda Vevera, Whitefish 22:16

8. Heather Fraley, Kalispell 22:35

9. Atty Timothy, Whitefish 23:05

10. Madison Stolte, Columbia Falls 23:12

11. Meredith Stolte, Columbia Falls 23:14

12. Briana Ori, Kalispell 23:55

13. Nicole Mickelson, Columbia Falls 24:07

14. Sarah Aylor, Lakeside 24:12

15. Anna Deleray, Kalispell 24:15