Popularity of Crazy Lazy mountain race ‘has just exploded’

PALMER — The popularity of the Crazy Lazy has grown like, for lack of a better word, crazy.

In just three years, participation in the annual mountain race has quadrupled. Fifty-four runners competed in the inaugural run in 2015. The third-annual race, held March 25 at the Lazy Mountain Trailhead, boasted about 230 men, women and kids.

“The population of the race has just exploded in the last couple of years,” Dane Crowley, one of the organizers of the race said.

And in just three years, the Crazy Lazy has graduated to elite status among Alaska mountain running events. It’s now part of the Alaska Mountain Runners Grand Prix, a list of premiere races that includes the Government Peak Climb, Mount Marathon and the Matanuska Peak Challenge.

“Getting it included in the Grand Prix puts it on more people’s radar,” Crowley said.

Crowley said the Crazy Lazy is the product of an idea that he had along with a few other mountain runners who live in the Lazy Mountain area, John Clark and Ben Marvin.

“Running in the spring is so much fun,” Crowley said. “We all think it’s one of the most fun times of the year to run on the mountain. The snow is soft. You can really just go for it. “

Crowley said race organizers — including Clark and Karen Looney — also want to host an event that is now just a race, but a gathering.

“John and I both want something where you hung out and visited, and didn’t just get into the cars and go home,” Crowley said.

And that’s what Crowley and fellow organizers saw on Saturday.

“People stay for hours and hours,” Crowley said. “They cheer in all of the people and get a chance to socialize with people they have not seen all year. It’s a social gathering, which is great.”

Crowley said a group of at least 50 made the move from the finish line to Palmer Ale House, a race sponsor, after the event to continue the festivities. Crowley said the race has quickly been embraced by the community. In addition to the rapid rise in participation, organizers have already built a loyal group of volunteers. Crowley said among the biggest group of volunteers is the Palmer High School girls soccer program.

“They do a tremendous job,” Crowley said.

The involvement of the Moose girls’ soccer players also aligns with a mission of the race organizers, who also use the event to raise funds for local girls’ athletic programs.

“Last year we donated $3,000 to girls athletics in the Valley. We’ll do the same this year,” Crowley said.

As for the race, Crowley reported great conditions for the 6-mile run.

“It’s probably the best conditions we’ve had in the past three years,” Crowley said.

The course sends runners up the front of the Lazy Mountain traditional trail. Near the summit, the course makes a turn sending competitors down the east ridge before taking them down the backside of Lazy Mountain. There it ties into the Matanuska Peak Trail, at about 9,200 feet, Crowley said. Runners continue down the Matanuska Peak Trail to the Morgan Horse Trail to the parking lot.

A pair of local standouts picked up right where they left off last year. Allan Spangler was the overall winner, finishing in 1 hour, 1 minute, 44 seconds. Christy Marvin won the women’s class, with a time of 1:08:47.

Russell Johanson (1:03:00) was the overall runner-up. Mike Monterusso (1:05:11), Christopher Kirk (1:05:48) and Hamish Wolfe (1:06:32) rounded out the top 5.

Najeeby Quinn (1:11:22) finished as the women’s runner-up. Heather Edic (1:17:41), April McAnly (1:18:10) and Annie Liotta (1:2023) finished in the women’s top 5.

The event also featured youth races. Aidan Houser was the overall winning, clocking a time of 26:05 on the youth course. Rosie Conway was first among the girls, with a time of 30:05. London Lee (26:19) was the runner-up. Sadie Benter (32:20) finished as the girls’ runner-up.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Crazy Lazy

March 25, Palmer

Men (top 25):

1. A. Spangler, 1:01:44; 2. R. Johanson, 1:03:00; 3. M. Monterusso, 1:05:11; 4. C. Kirk, 1:05:48; 5. H. Wolfe, 1:06:32; 6. P. Conway, 1:09:47; 7. B. Benter, 1:10:03; 8. C. Taylor, 1:10:38; 9. M. Connolly, 1:11:45; 10. F. Nekada, 1:11:46; 11. C. Deal, 1:12;37; 12. B. Griffith, 1:13:19; 13. J. Levin, 1:16:17; 14. N. Wenger, 1:16:41; 15. J. Taylor, 1:16:42; 16. M. VanderLugt, 1:17:10; 17. J. Libby 1:18:01; 18. A. Dougherty 1:18:57; 19. B. Rinner, 1:19:20; 20. D. Markwardt, 1:19:23; 21. C. Latimer, 1:19:34; 22. L. Kopsack, 1:19:54; 23. D. McIntosh, 1:20:07; 24. L. Rosier, 1:20:33; 25. T. Slater-Baker, 1:21:33.

Women (top 25):

1. C. Marvin, 1:08:47; 2. N. Quinn, 1:11:22; 3. H. Edic, 1:17:41; 4. A. McAnly, 1:18:10; 5. A. Liotta, 1:20:23; 6. S. Loan, 1:22:37; 7. H. Booher, 1:25:24; 8. A. Kopsack, 1:26:48; 9. J. Ashoff, 1:27:25; 10. P. Westbrook, 1:28:38; 11. M. Graham, 1:30:12; 12. E. Hooper, 1:32:12; 13. K. Loan, 1:35:54; 14. N. Rehm, 1:36:16; 15. K. McGrath, 1:36:30; 16. S. Wright, 1:37:38; 17. W. Sailors, 1:38:35; 18. E. Brown, 1:38:38; 19. K. Houser, 1:39:39; 20. J. Dickerson, 1:41:39; 21. H. Huschle, 1:41:50; 22. K. Donnelly, 1:42:59; 23. A. Anderson, 1:44:00; 24. T. Houser, 1:44:40; 25. K. Swenson, 1:45:30.

Youth girls:

1. R. Conway, 30:05; 2. S. Benter, 32:20; 3. K. Westbrook, 39:40; 4. F. Leclair, 39:41; 5. E. Rinner, 49:11; 6. T. Rinner, 49:15; 7. R. Day, 51.03.

Youth boys:

1. A. Houser, 26:05; 2. L. Lee, 26:19; 3. K. Westbrook, 34:59; 4. B. Precosky, 35:29; 5. N. Johnston, 35:55; 6. E. Roads, 39:18; 7. I. Marvin, 41:56; 8. E. Williams, 43:00; 9. J. Gross, 44:40; 10. B. Rinner, 48:51; 11. J. Cooper, 57:17; 12. L. Williams, 57:47; 13. J. Cooper, 59:44; 14. P. Douthit, 1:18:50.