Andersen, Vevera gold medalists in 5K run at Senior Summer Games
For Craig Andersen, the big races are still two months away.
Andersen, 61, of Olympia, Wash., will compete in the 5k, 10k and 1,500-meter run at the Summer Senior National Games at Stanford, Calif., August 1-15.
So what was he doing in Kalispell this week?
Running, of course. Logging a few more miles and getting competition ready for his trip to California.
On Thursday, he won the 5k (3.1 miles' run at the Montana Senior Olympics Summer Games. His winning time on the streets around The Summit was 21:14.79.
"A little bit slow for me," he said. "On a warm day like this, it's a fairly hard course."
Besides, he still has three races left.
"I have the 10k tomorrow," he said.
"The 800 and 1,500 on Saturday."
That's why he didn't push it for his first event. He's pacing himself, seeing how it will all pan out here. That information will help him plan his racing strategy for multiple events at the national games.
"First time come to this one," Andersen said of the Montana Senior Olympics.
"I was in Sandpoint (Idaho) visiting my sister and it's a short drive (to Kalispell). I like competing in this stuff."
Linda Vevera, 53, of Whitefish also took advantage of the short trip, and was the top female finisher with a time of 24:47.89. She was the fifth runner overall.
"First time doing the Senior Olympics," she said.
"It's here, I want to support it. Plus, I'm proud to be a senior."
Tram Stout finished second overall, 21:20.06, while George Shryock of Whitefish was third, 22:12.37, and brother John Shryock of Kalispell fourth, 22:12.38.
It was the second win for Vevera in less than a week. On Saturday, she won the 5k Rails to Trails Run. Saturday, she's in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, for the Kootenai River Run.
"I'm greatly humbled," she said of her back-to-back firsts.
"I'm so thankful I can do this. To me, finishing and participating makes me a winner."
Andersen qualified for nationals last winter at the Florida Senior Games. He ran an age-group record time of :18.35 in the 5k and an all-age group record time of :39.25 in the 10k.
Andersen competed at senior nationals four years ago in Pittsburgh, winning the 5k.
"Keeps me in shape," he said.
"You see a lot of 50-year-olds getting out of shape.
"I'm trying to beat all the guys who beat me in college," he joked.
Then on a more serious note …
"I've been blessed," he said.
"God gave me a good ability to run and I enjoy it."
Andersen graduated from high school in Hamilton and ran track and cross country at Montana State University (1965-70). He runs five days a week. That totals about 100 miles a month.
There were 16 entrants in the 5k Thursday and all finished in less than an hour. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to the top three finishers in each five-year age bracket. Eleven earned gold medals.
The games began earlier in the day with tennis at The Summit. Medals were awarded to singles and double winners, men and women.
The games continue today at 8:45 a.m. with the 10k run at The Summit. Archery, bowling, cycling, golf, horseshoes, swimming, race walk and track also begin today at various locations around the valley.
Thursday's Results
5K Run
Women
50-54
Linda Vevera 24:47.89
55-59
Judy Schroeder 34:13.20
60-64
Cathy Greenshields 32:48.19
70-74
Pat Freebury 40:13.54
80-84
Flora Wong 48:24.44
Men
50-54
Tram Stout 21:20.06
55-59
Randy Nesges 27:18.97
60-64
Craig Andersen 21:14.79
George Shryock 22:12.37
John Shryock 22:12.38
65-69
Robert Wade 29:01.61
70-74
Darrell McNenny 29:19.73
Danny Casey 30:07.95
Walter Egged 38:16.60
75-79
Don Jelinek 30:06.44
Dallas Roots 56:45.95
Tennis
Singles
Women
55-59
Championship
Susen-Marie Ladd def. Shu-Ming Chiou, 6-4, 6-3
Men
55-59
Championship
1. Joe Grimm
60-64
Championship
Ken Goetsch def. Larry Sanders, 6-0, 6-2
80-84
1. Tom Selstad; 2. Stanley Smart; 3. James Wylder; 4. Lupercio Rangel
Doubles
55-59
1. Russell Purdy/Joe Grimm
60-64
1. Tom Bohnsack/Jerry Manning
65-69
1. Larry Alexander/Roger Jewell
75-79
1. Corky Teska/Jim Armstrong
80-84
1. Tom Selstad/James Wylder; 2. Lupercio Rangel/Stanley Smart