Cool running

DAVID LESNICK/The Daily Inter Lake

Stocking caps, gloves, sweat shirts and other cold weather running essentials were not optional Sunday, they were almost necessary.

A majority of the participants in the First National Bank of Montana Summit Classic 5K run/jog/walk opted for the extra gear on a day when temperatures were stuck in the lows 30s.

The weather, however, did not adversely affect the turnout.

There were 672 brave souls (403 women and 269 men) who completed the annual event. The numbers included about 50 patients and staff members of the Northwest Spine & Pain Center, which serves people suffering chronic pain problems.

Seth Svennungsen, for the second-straight year, was the top overall male finisher. He cruised through the city streets around The Summit in a fast time of 17 minutes, 5.35 seconds. His winning time was 15 seconds faster than last year.

Svennungsen's average was 5:30.02 per mile. His margin of victory for the 3.1-mile race was 1:44.15.

Richard Menicke of Whitefish was second in 18:49.45 and Joaquin Calderon of Kalispell third, 18:52.95.

Jesse Rumsey of Columbia Falls was the first female to cross the finish line. Her time was 20:48.65 and she placed 16th overall.

Camie Stolte of Columbia Falls was the No. 2 female finisher, 22:22.65 (24th overall), and Susan Noe was third, 22:28.10 (26th overall). No home town was listed for Noe.

Brad Cronk, 43, of Kalispell, was bundled-up for the conditions, minus the gloves. He also had several extra layers of clothing underneath his outerwear and "and a couple pair of socks.

"It wasn't bad once you got going," he said.

Cronk had planned to run with his wife Michelle, but the two got separated just as the race began.

"There were so many people in there (starting area), we kinda got lost," he said.

He finished 79th in 25:31.25. She placed 121st, 27:52.85.

Brad and Michelle were joined at the finish area by their son William, 12, who braved the elements in shorts and a T-shirt.

"My arms were numb by the end of the race," William said.

"And my legs were numb."

Did he regret not dressing warmer?

"Not really. Not unless it was 10 degrees colder."

He finished 29th with a time of 22:50.75

The Cronk family had a 100 percent turnout for the wellness event. Christopher, 14, finished 205th, 30:17.85; Annie, 15, 281st, 33:50.25; and Matthew, 10, 282nd, 33:50.45.

Annie is recovering from knee surgery, so she walked and jogged it.

Annie's friend, Eric Brinton, was suppose to walk with her, but called her earlier in the day saying it was too cold. Thus, he stayed home.

"She wanted to stay home, but she was forced by her family to go," said Brad.

This marked the second year in a row the classic was held on a Sunday. The switch from running on Saturday has increased the participation numbers.

Last year's race drew 745 participants on a more ideal day for getting outside and exercising. The final Saturday race in 2006 had 559 finishers.

A complete list of race results will appear later in the week.