Annual ATV Poker Run surpasses lat year's numbers
<p>Anxious riders prepare to take off for their journey in front of the Lakeside Motel & Resort. This year the Poker Run saw more participants than last year with 268 in total.</p>
TROUT CREEK – The Cabinet Ridge Riders held their 9th annual ATV Poker Run Saturday and saw more numbers than last year.
The ATV Poker Run covers approximately 76 miles and offers the riders views of Montana’s backcountry.
Organizer and Cabinet Ridge Rider’s Director of activities, John Harris, said they had 268 riders this year.
Before the event Harris hoped to have anywhere between 200 and 250 riders, surpassing that number.
“The Poker Run went really good. Everyone was happy and there were no accidents so we were pleased with that,” said Harris.
This year the ride saw participants from Michigan, North Carolina, Arizona and Washington as well as Montana. The age of riders spanned from 4-years of age to a 94-year old man.
During their long trek, the riders saw a cow moose, a black bear as well as deer and squirrels.
The ride was followed with a pig roast and according to Harris, it went really well. Local karaoke followed the feast featuring local talent.
This year 708 poker hands were dealt out and with the charging price of $5 apiece, a few lucky participants of the Poker Run walked out making a good chunk of cash.
The club paid out $2,200 to the top 15 poker hands. Any funds after the poker hand payouts went back to the club, although Harris was unsure of how much money the Cabinet Ridge Riders made this year.
First place along with $300 went to Marilyn McLreary from Arizona; Second went to Ken Miller; Third to Sherry Neal; Fourth place saw a tie between Cory Thomas and Brian Davison; Fifth place went to Bill Kendall; Sixth place went to Ron Hooten; Seventh place went to Chang Salois; Eighth place went to Rita Hooten; Ninth place went to Natalie Erwin; Tenth place went to Casey Wood; Eleventh place went to Marlyn Miller; Twelfth place went to Amber Steffenson; Thirteenth place went to Mack Cameron and finally fourteenth place went to Doston Schilling.
Along with the prize money there was a gun give away, a 50/50 dollar raffle as well as a lot of fun.
The 10th annual ATV Poker Run is scheduled for the second Saturday in June and as of now Harris expects no changes.