Masses hit Menard; Hundreds flood the streets in annual race

June 3, 2007

By Hannah Guillaume/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - Fifty onlookers cheered as Jerome Ross dashed across the finish line 20 seconds ahead of the competition in the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Run.

Ross, a 2008 Olympic marathon hopeful from Anchorage, finished first overall in 15 minutes and 2.53 seconds winning $500. Brandon Newbould took second with 15:23.71, earning $250, and Mathew Corrinth took third place and $100 for his 15:42.61 finish on Saturday.

For Ross to join the 2008 Olympic team in Beijing, he must meet the 2 hour and 22 minute Olympic standard by Oct. 7. He took fourth with 1:9:18 in a half-marathon at the Washington, D.C. National Marathon in March.

&#8220I was surprised I ran in (15:02),” Ross said as sweat beaded over the bridge of his nose.

It was his fourth Menard Memorial Run.

&#8220Breaking 15, that's a big deal. It feels great to come back and win,” he added.

The run is a qualifying race for USA Track and Field, the national governing body for track and field, long distance running and walking.

For Kikkan &#8220Kikkanimal” Randall, a Cross-Country Ski Olympian from Anchorage, the third time was a charm. She took first place and $500 in the women's division of the memorial run in 17:27.27. She ran in 2004 and 2005.

Mereidi Liebner earned $250 and second place with a 18:45.25 finish and Laura Carpenter $100 and third in 18:50.31.

Randall said winning for her was all about finding a good groove.

&#8220It's fun. I've never won before,” she said with a blushing grin. &#8220It was just a good, consistent pace. I found a nice pace where I could relax.”

Most of the 400 competitors, including former Lt. Gov. Loren Leman who finished in 24:53.19, ran with their neighbors and families for the marathon's fund-raiser.

&#8220It was long, but it felt good,” Leman said. &#8220It was good to be out here honoring a young man who died too young.”

The run is named in honor of Curtis C. Menard II, who died in a plane crash in 2001 leaving behind his wife and four children. Menard volunteered at Valley Crisis Pregnancy Center and was Wasilla Rotary Club's president when he died.

Half of the net money raised, about $8,000, helps physically and sexually abused children in the Valley get treatment through The Children's Place. The remainder funds Wasilla Rotary Club scholarships for graduating high school seniors.

Leman said the run was his first physical competition since graduating from Ninilchik High School in 1968.

&#8220It feels good to beat a few people,” he said, before adding that he did notice a &#8220few gray hairs with fast legs” ahead of him on.

Leman's 16-year-old daughter Nicole, from Anchorage, said the course was exerting but bearable. She finished in 20:48.76.

&#8220It's a fun course,” she said. &#8220It's nice to have people cheering you on at the end.”

This year's route followed southbound on the paved pathway alongside North Church Road between West Spruce Avenue and the Parks Highway. Runners said they enjoyed its gentle, rolling hills and downhill finish.

Wasilla runner David Johnston, who finished in 17:15.73 in a roadwork-orange jersey, said he enjoyed running with his children and Cross-Country Ski Olympian Randall.

&#8220The competition was stiff. A lot of really good Anchorage people showed,” he said. &#8220They took out smoking the first mile. The whole way hurt.”

His step-son Calen Wilbur, 12, said finishing in 26:29 means he will continue running.

&#8220It was OK. My knee has been hurting me, but I ran the whole way,” Wilbur said.

Al Strawn, former rotary president and race organizing committee volunteer, said the run is a key rotary fund-raiser.

&#8220We wanted to do a community event that could continue on,” he said. &#8220It has been real successful at raising money.”

He noted that the run has raised $36,000 in funding for rotary scholarships in the past five years.

Contact Hannah Guillaume at 352-2250 or hannahguillaume@yahoo.com.

4th Annual Curtis C. Menard II 5-K Memorial Run

Saturday, Wasilla

Boys 14 and Under 5,000 Meter Run

1. Enloe, Tanner R., Una, 18 minutes, 48.62 seconds; 2. Knopp, Schyler, Una, 18:51.23; 3. Reimer, Alex, Colony High School, 20:06.88; 4. Knopp, Tracen, Una, 20:36.91; 5. Gumminger, Nathan, Colony Middle Sc, 20:40.79; 6. Ripley, Noah, Una, 21:15.85. 50; 7. Murray, Trevor, Una, 21:21.13; 8. Gumminger, Dylan, Finger Lake Elem, 22:00.37. 58; 9. Udchachon, Najim, Una, 22:33.49. 66; 10. knopp, Dawson, Una, 22:54.23. 79; 11. Haley, John, Una, 24:01.19; 12. Hickle, Lucas Albin, Una, 25:31.74; 13. Wilber, Calen, Midnight Sun, 26:29.00; 14. Menard, Harrison, Pineer Peak, 26:35.32. 123; 15. Zachary, Ritchie, Una, 26:50.92; 16. Benbenek, Mathew, Una, 27:48.23; 17. Murray, Erin, Una, 28:33.13; 18. Holliday, Kadden, Una, 28:52.46; 19. Erickson, Malachi, Una, 29:38.01; 20. Erickson, John III, Una, 29:48.49; 21. Greathouse, Kaleb, Goose Bay Elemen, 31:10.77; 22. Welch, Dominic, Una, 31:51.46; 23. Murray, Liam, Una, 31:58.15; 24. Menard, Sullivan, Pineer Peak, 31:58.48; 25. harren, William, Una, 32:02.73; 26. Garrod, Trey, Una, 32:19.55; 27. Schachle, tanner, Una, 32:24.13; 28. Keene, Brett, Una, 32:41.04; 29. Lincoln, Chane, Una, 36:31.89; 30. Van Diest, Bobby, Una, 36:32.38; 31. Hone, Turtle, Una, 37:32.19; 32. Woodall, Isaih, Una, 38:18.97. 207; 33. Alcantra, Neillan, Sherrod Elementa, 39:00.87; 34. Butcher, Cody, Una, 39:09.57; 35. Shaw, Axel, Una, 43:51.28; 36. Welch, Zacahary, Una, 43:52.37; 37. Walling, Joseph, Una, 44:18.17; 38. Stephenson, Coltan, Una, 46:42.99; 39. Haley, Sean, Una, 47:39.42; 40. Shaw, Angus, Una, 49:31.41; 41. Walker, Jaron, Una, 50:00.97; 42. Keeler, Ryan, Una, 50:57.23; 43. Goodale, Ramsey, Una, 55:01.71; 44. stephson, Kaeden, Una, 57:57.47; 45. Hall, Kevin, Midnight Sun, 58:46.43.

Girls 14 and Under 5,000 Meter Run

1. Doe, John, Una, 16:37.46; 2. Bialka, Katie, Wasilla High Sch, 19:52.87; 3. Sutherland, Julianna, Una, 22:05.37; 4. Doe, John 7, Una, 22:24.15; 5. Doe, John 8, Una, 22:40.14; 6. Klaperich, Kaitlyn, Una, 23:50.77; 7. Krediet, Jamie, Una, 23:52.87; 8. Dampier, Morgan, Una, 25:13.57; 9. Heimeri, Krystal, Una, 25:19.85; 10. Jahn, Abby, Una, 25:59.92; 11. Klapperich, mary, Una, 26:36.46; 12. Menard, Gabreille, Colony Middle Sc, 26:38.88; 13. Hanson, Chancie, Una, 28:30.67; 14. Doe, John 10, Una, 29:08.48; 15. Schmidt, Sara, Una, 30:55.25; 16. Forstner, Tess, Una, 34:39.72; 17. woodall, jasmine, Una, 35:27.32; 18. woodall, Jamie, Una, 35:40.88; 19. Fennell, Martha Ann, Una, 37:32.53; 20. Lincoln, Micaela, Una, 37:32.90; 21. Thompson, KayLynn, Una, 38:08.46; 22. Olson, Ariel Star, Una, 46:18.12; 23. Kennedy, teresa, Una, 47:40.17; 24. Haley, Lauren, Una, 49:15.28; 25. Woodall, Anna, Una, 49:32.75; 26. Baker, Kasie, Una, 49:42.43; 27. Stone, Crystalina, Una, 49:59.44; 28. Stone, Madisyn, Una, 50:01.79; 29. Smylie, Alicca, Una, 55:10.36; 30. Butcher, Alexis, Una, 55:13.65; 31. Hardwig, holly, Una, 55:19.19; 32. Hardwig, Madison, Una, 58:21.01; 33. Hardwig, Denice, Una, 58:36.93; 34. Alcantra, Almeria, Swanson Elementa, 58:43.80.

Men 15-18 5,000 Meter Run

1. Parisien, Jake, Una, 16:30.84; 2. Smith, Kevin, Una, 17:22.36. 21; 3. Christopher, Houston High Sch, 18:12.16; 4. Ilutsik, George, Una, 8:42.20; 5. Zagars, Mike, Una, 19:39.70; 6. Ford, Drew, Wasilla High Sch, 20:34.84; 7. Joynt, Marshall, Una, 21:01.87; 8. Newman, Coulton, Una, 23:13.19; 9. Haley, Josh, Una, 48:57.34.

Women 15-18 5,000 Meter Run

1. Cox, Ryan, Una, 17:18.01; 2. Mumma, Brittany, Una, 19:22.45; 3. Lutz, Jacquie, Palmer High Scho, 19:41.25; 4. Fuller, Elle, Una, 20:20.15; 5. Leman, Nicole, Una, 20:48.76; 6. Ripley, Emily, Una, 21:44.68; 7. Dau, Amanda, Una, 22:10.97; 8. Flores, Stephanie, Una, 23:16.49; 9. Murray, Tara, Una, 25:08.88; 10. Kennedy, Rachel, Una, 25:13.22; 11. Christensen-Vavalis, Zandra, Una, 25:17.11; 12. Nuss, Skylar, Una, 25:21.81; 13. Sutherland, Melanie, Una, 25:28.19; 14. Schleich, Valerie, Una, 26:00.75; 15. dampier, Haley, Una, 26:02.63 16. Hall, Ann Marie, Wasilla High Sch, 26:25.64; 17. Wilberq, Kiersten, Una, 26:53.47; 18. Beam, Amanda, Una, 26:54.91; 19. Olsen, Ema, Wasilla High Sch, 27:14.76; 20. Fait, Abby Elsi, Una, 27:53.68; 21.Torbirg, Trisha, Una, 28:38.89; 22. Murray, Clare, Una, 28:56.51; 23. Maxwell, Abigail, Una, 34:40.10; 24. wagoner, Courtney, Una, 59:19.15.

Men 19-24 5,000 Meter Run

1. Egelus, Rory, Una, 17:00.71; 2. Dengal, Bart, Una, 17:17.63; 3. Cooke, Joe, Una, 18:25.51.

Women 19-24 5,000 Meter Run

1. Randall, kikkan, Una, 17:27.27; 2. Westfall, Kortnee, Una, 25:59.58; 3. Leman, Rachel, Una, 27:13.18; 4. Harris, Clara, Una, 29:30.87; 5. Kramer, Crystal, Una, 34:13.10; 6. Simpson, Whitney, Una, 36:19.65; 7. Remus, Mandy, Una, 37:33.62.

Men 25-29 5,000 Meter Run

1. Newbould, Brandon Cole, Una, 15:23.71; 2. Corrinth, Mathew, Una, 15:42.61; 3. Hill, Sam, Una, 15:56.39; 4. Miller, Casey, Una, 16:09.62; 5. Ellis, Jeff, Una, 16:11.01; 6. Egelus, pat, Una, 17:51.44; 7. Hubb, Daniel, Una, 23:51.08; 8. Hubb, Charles, Una, 24:41.45; 9. Lusk, Chad, Una, 26:13.80; 10. Walker, Robert, Una, 28:34.05.

Women 25-29 5,000 Meter Run

1. Liebner, Mereidi, Una, 18:45.25; 2. Carpenter, Laura, Una, 18:50.31; 3. Smith, Kristina Lynn, Una, 20:24.56.; 4. Lusk, Mandi, Una, 25:40.51; 5. Nelson, Tyann, Una, 26:03.87; 6. Shinsata, Jennie, Una, 26:04.29; 7. Ross, Julie, Una, 27:04.84; 8. Diaz, Johana, Una, 28:42.48; 9. Eller, Annita, Una, 29:13.83; 10. Polis, Breezy, Una, 29:26.98; 11. Hubb, Heather, Una, 31:15.68; 12. Rott, Carrie, Una, 32:36.49; 13. Reynolds, Jordann, Una, 37:33.27; 14. Walker, Rachel, Una, 48:33.71.

Men 30-34 5,000 Meter Run

1. Ross, Jerome, Una, 15:02.53; 2. Ritchie, Tom, Una, 16:48.00; 3. Conrad, Tim, Una, 30:47.00.

Women 30-34 5,000 Meter Run

1. Kenney, Tricia, Una, 22:36.79; 2. Rindlisbacher, Malinda, Una, 27:48.65; 3. Dasson, Jessica, Una, 28:15.07 4. Howell, Jenny, Una, 29:14.18; 5. Despain, Ronda, Una, 29:31.18; 6. Hale, Ginny, Una, 29:40.73; 7. Scott, Kirsten, Una, 31:07.91; 8. Lincoln, Shelli, Una, 36:50.07; 9. Dermer, Charlene, Una, 40:00.84; 10. Rice, Robin Muriel, Una, 42:06.22; 11. Hipszer, Nadja, Una, 42:13.13; 12. Welch, Stacey, Una, 44:15.09; 13. Fletcher, Alana, Una, 44:16.50; 14. Stephson, paige, Una, 49:11.64; 15. Williams, Cherish, Una, 50:01.35; 16. Thompson, Rhonda, Una, 50:04.05; 17. Schachle, Holli, Una, 55:19.55; 18. Fletcher, Melody, Una, 57:21.04; 19. Butcher, Dara, Una, 57:57.90.

Men 35-39 5,000 Meter Run

1. heusvelldt, Jeff, Una, 15:56.74; 2. Johnston, David, Una, 17:15.73; 3. Erickson, John Jr., Una, 25:38.08; 4. Chapman, Peter, Una, 30:06.89; 5. Greathouse, Adam, Una, 31:11.48; 6. Welch, Matt, Una, 31:40.96; 7. Lincoln, tom, Una, 33:44.52.

Women 35-39 5,000 Meter Run

1. Neeser, Anrea, Una, 19:29.64; 2. Grigg, Michelyn, Una, 23:26.65; 3. Miner, larie, Una, 27:17.29; 4. Greathouse, Wendie, Una, 31:11.13; 5. Walling, Denise, Una, 45:35.83; 6. Baker, Becky, Una, 45:58.54; 7. Holler, Michele, Una, 47:35.22; 8. Alcantra, Rosetta, Una, 58:10.62; 9. Robinson, Tiffanie, Una, 59:27.87.

Men 40-44 5,000 Meter Run

1. Pepper, David, Una, 23:51.66; 2. Fisher, Lincoln, Una, 25:10.49; 3. Bembenek, Gregg, Una, 27:49.07; 4. Goerish, Jeff Allen, Una, 27:49.58; 5. Krediet, Mike, Una, 35:52.88; 6. Josephson, Andrew, Una, 38:11.56; 7. Alcantra, John, Una, 39:08.77.

Women 40-44 5,000 Meter Run

1. Thon, Alesia, Una, 22:26.57; 2. Ripley, Elizabeth, Una, 22:44.22; 3. toffolon-weiss, Melissa Mary, Una, 23:10.75; 4. Josephson, Donna, Una, 25:47.83; 5. Adams, Barb, Una, 26:23.58; 6. Fuller, Juanita, Una, 26:46.63; 7. Keene, Margret, Una, 27:21.87; 8. Fennell, Katherine, Una, 28:08.11; 9. Murray, Debbie, Una, 29:38.52; 10. Krediet, Susan, Una, 30:49.29; 11. VanDiest, Lorri, Una, 36:32.91; 12. morse, Blanca, Una, 37:30.34; 13. Lamont, Sara, Una, 49:10.78; 14. Gaines, Jaccie, Una, 51:18.38; 15. Smylie, Dianna, Una, 51:40.81; 16. Sullivan, pattty, Una, 58:37.18.

Men 45-49 5,000 Meter Run

1. clark, John, Una, 16:04.21; 2. Olsen, Jeffrey, Una, 18:26.99; 3. Rich, Mark, Una, 21:28.39; 4. Thorn, Craig, Una, 22:40.86; 5. Ghramm, Doug, Una, 22:44.66; 6. McQuown, Don, Una, 22:45.74; 7. Colberg, Talis, Una, 24:02.71; 8. Schleich, Karl, Una, 24:11.56; 9. Murray, Steven, Una, 24:13.95; 10. remus, Bradly, Una, 24:32.61 11. Flores, Steve, Una, 26:30.96; 12. Torburg, Michael, Una, 28:39.86; 13. Sandstrom, Timothy John, Una, 31:22.60; 14. Crawford, Ken, Una, 32:08.35; 15. Schleich, Ley, Una, 41:28.74.

Women 45-49 5,000 Meter Run

1. Barndt, Ruth Ann, Una, 19:50.88; 2. Sullivan, Carol, Una, 24:22.13; 3. Bostick, Jennifer, Una, 26:00.32 4. woodall, Beverly, Una, 26:15.88; 5. forstner, Emily, Una, 26:29.93; 6. Garrod, Janet, Una, 26:33.23; 7. Menard, Carol, Una, 34:55.57; 8. Olsen, Jacqueline, Una, 37:29.02; 9. Remus, Debra, Una, 38:08.17; 10. Hediger, Kathy, Una, 45:38.63; 11. Olson, Lois m, Una, 46:18.48; 12. Lee, Charla Ann, Una, 46:30.21; 13. Anderson, Mary, Una, 49:15.55; 14. Shaw, Sabrina, Una, 49:30.89; 15. Kennedy, Janet, Una, 50:56.87; 16. Clump, Constance, Una, 51:06.67; 17. Simon, Lisa, Una, 53:50.98; 18. Kittall, Amy, Una, 58:58.52.

Men 50-54 5,000 Meter Run

1. Frank, Edward George, Una, 17:23.42; 2. Davis, Bob, Una, 17:30.77; 3. Dent, Mark, Una, 19:28.84; 4. Downey, Tom, Una, 20:56.06; 5. harren, Dick, Una, 22:50.85; 6. Holliday, David, Una, 24:37.59; 7. Klapperich, John, Una, 34:45.37; 8. Walling, Bruce, Una, 45:35.02.

Women 50-54 5,000 Meter Run

1. Barrett, Mary, Una, 20:15.80; 2. Kinn, Debra L, Una, 22:59.39; 3. mumma, Debbie, Una, 23:27.34; 4. Buskirk, Jane, Una, 23:35.61; 5. firmani, Diane, Una, 30:50.79; 6. Jones, Rita, Una, 34:04.67; 7. nash, Beverly, Una, 41:28.26; 8. Keene, Shannon, Una, 49:11.34; 9. Beller, Linda, Una, 51:40.34; 10. Hakes, Yvonne, Una, 51:53.28; 11. Mayer, Susan Lynn, Una, 58:37.44.

Men 55-59 5,000 Meter Run

1. Skidmore, Eric, Una, 18:52.18; 2. Downey, Ron, Una, 19:44.26; 3. Buskirk, Larry, Una, 20:02.27; 4. Van Hemert, Willy, Una, 23:12.33; 5. Leman, Loren, Una, 24:53.19; 6. Cannon, John, Una, 25:36.82; 7. Eller, Jim, Una, 25:41.48; 8. Swindlells, Giles, Una, 28:25.85; 9. Pecan, Pete, Una, 50:58.74.

Women 55-59 5,000 Meter Run

1. Hershey, Vera, Una, 24:50.00; 2. gatto, Cathy, Una, 39:44.27.

Men 60-64 5,000 Meter Run

1. Coppock, Dwight, Una, 30:06.55; 2. Soucek, Jim, Una, 36:37.90; 3. Anderson, Timothy, Una, 49:21.84.

Women 60-64 5,000 Meter Run

1. Weiss, J, Una, 24:31.57; 2. Tummey, Kathleen, Una, 46:46.85.

Men 65-69 5000 Meter Run

1. Van wallinga, Fred, Una, 55:11.51; 2. Keller, William, Una, 58:43.34.

Women 65-69 5,000 Meter Run

1. Keller, Shirley, Una, 58:38.51.

Women 70-74 5,000 Meter Run

1. Sulivan, Elsie, Una, 59:01.10.

Men 75-79 5,000 Meter Run

1. Franz, Chester, Una, 28:34.79.

Men 80-99 5,000 Meter Run

1. Kennedy, Dan, Una, 48:33.46; 2. Peterson, Melinda, Una, 58:36.66.

Women 80-99 5,000 Meter Run

1. Peterson, Becky, Una, 58:17.77.