PORT ANGELES — The Olympic Adventure Trail run truly was an adventure this year, thanks to a cranky Mother Nature.
Despite freakish April hail, rain, snow, more rain and finally a little bit of sun at the end, 234 brave runners from 13 states and Canada hit the trail for the eighth annual OAT Run put on Saturday by Peninsula Adventure Sports. Runners from the age of 13 to 81 finished their races through the wicked weather.
“We had a higher-than-normal no-show rate due to the weather forecast,” said race director Lorrie Mittmann.
The runners spent most of the morning in the snow, but the wintry weather cleared up in time for the after-party, and everyone enjoyed burritos and beer and cider by campfire.
Julie Hales, age 15, of Port Angeles, completed the half-marathon OAT run despite the snow and sleet. She was the youngest finisher of the race. (Matt Sagen/Cascadia Films)
Julie Hales, a 15-year-old Port Angeles girl, was the youngest half-marathon runner, finishing in 2 hours, 53 minutes and 43 seconds. It was her first-ever race.
“I can’t wait to do the next race,” she said.
“She sure picked a doozy to start on,” said Mittmann.
Noah Isenberg, 13, of Port Townsend ran the 12K, finishing in 1:00.00.53. At the other end of the spectrum, 76-year-old Robert Gabreski of Poulsbo finished the 12K in 1:29.13.36 and 81-year-old Cary Carlson of Port Angeles finished in 1:55.51.69.
The OAT Run featured 50K (about 31 miles), half-marathon (13 miles) and 12K (7.5 miles) races along Kelly Ridge west of Port Angeles.
Winning the men’s 50K was Bryce Murry of Henderson, Nev., in a time of 4 hours, 46 minutes, 49.21 seconds. Thomas Meyer of Seattle was second at 4:53.10.86 and Steve Grasser of Sequim was third at 5:11.13.56. Robert Bondurant of Chimacum was fourth (5:19.53.68) and Michael Higuera of Port Angeles fifth (5:23.19.26).
The top female runner was Morgan Sanger of Seattle with a time of 5:23.19.26, good for sixth overall. Tina Eide of Seattle was the second-fastest woman (and seventh overall) with a time of 5:49.40.93, and Molly Strand of Port Orchard was third (ninth overall) at 6:08.45.93.
Yumiko Hiebert of Victoria, B.C., was the fourth-fastest woman (10th overall) at 6:09.53.67 and Patricia Hirschler, all the way from East Elmhurst, N.Y., was fifth at 6:16.43.03.
Winning the men’s half-marathon was John Mauro of Port Townsend in a time of 1:26.51. Benjamin Miller of Seattle finished second at 1:35:30.19, Mark LaGioia of Port Hadlock was third (1:41.01.78), Spencer Larsen of Port Angeles was fourth (1:42.59.72) and William Schifeling of Seattle fifth (1:43.15.11).
Runners braved at times heavy snow in Saturday’s OAT run through Kelly Ridge west of Port Angeles. (Hayley Sharpe photo).
Katherine Braun of Port Angeles had the best women’s time at 1:50.36.77. Katherine Kanehann of Midvale, Utah, was second at 1:53.18.58, Allie Malenfant of Silverdale third (1:53.18.91), Ani Phelps of Port Angeles fourth (2:00.01.16, and Anna Farrell of Seattle fifth (2:00.20.83).
The 12K winners were broken down by age category. The best men’s time was by Brett Morris of Seattle at 47:15.74, barely edging out Larry Julson of Beaverton, Ore., who finished with the second-best time at 47:35.06. The top women’s time was by Stephanie Forshaw of Sequim at 59:17.14.
Sponsors included Hayley Sharpe, owner of Moss Boutique, and Angeles Millworks/Hartnagels, Angeles Fitness, North Olympic Healthcare Network and Olympic Lodge.
A portion of race proceeds is donated to the Peninsula Trails Coalition for the construction and maintenance of the Olympic Discovery and Olympic Adventure Trails, and to the Back Country Horsemen-Peninsula Chapter to support trail maintenance on the Olympic Peninsula. The Clallam County Amateur Radio Emergency Services also supported the race this year. Mittmann also thanked all the volunteers who put up with the snow to provide support, water and snacks to the racers.
