Racers stride it out at Clark Fork Adventure Challenge
Dr. Andrew Ordelheide of Plains gives competitors a quick rundown on the bike trail and what to expect before the Clark Fork Adventure Challenge kicked off Sunday morning.
Twenty-five registered competitors hit the course as the third annual Clark Fork Adventure Challenge begins at the Sanders County Fairgrounds on Sunday. (Erin Jusseaume photos/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
The third annual Clark Fork Adventure Challenge was seen as a huge success for organizers as numbers doubled for entries on Sunday at the Sanders County Fairgrounds.
With 25 registered competitors, taking to two courses, the weather was cool enough for them to stride out as they hit the pavement for the running portion start off the mark.
John Haines, one of the main organizers, said he was happy with the turnout this year as last year was cancelled due to the air quality from closeby fires, such as Sheep Gap.
“It was too dangerous for people to be competing and the fire also ran close to the bike trail so we were really looking forward to getting it back this year,” said Haines.
Although it was the third annual challenge, it was only the second time the race had actually been able to run.
Haines said this year they had people from around Montana, Washington and Idaho come to compete and hopefully an inquiry from out of country will come join in next year as well.
“We’re really happy with the interest this event is getting from all over the world, and hope people make the trip to come in the future,” he said.
Not only were organizers pleased with the turnout — they were also appreciative of how many volunteers gave up their Sunday to help with the event.
“We have Thompson Falls Ambulance here, Search and Rescue helping on the water, and lots of locals and some hospital staff helping in other aspects of the race,” Haines said.
Haines said the full course would take competitors around three hours to complete, while the short course would take somewhere around two to two-and-a-half hours.
TOP FINISHERS on the course saw Mina Ziai of Denver, Colo., take the first-place finish for the ladies’ solo triathlon. Scott Richardson of Clark Fork, Idaho, earned first place in the men’s solo triathlon.
First-place finisher for the solo lite triathlon were, ladies; Claire Clemens of Clark Fork, Idaho, and Tony Bontadelli of Polson, Mont.
Triathlon
Ladies
2nd - Kristen Maxwell, Plains, Mont.
3rd- Celene Paulsen, Plains, Mont.
Men’s
2nd- Erik Digby, Thompson Falls, Mont.
3rd - Andrew Ordelheide, Plains, Mont.
4th - Andrew Schauer, Missoula, Mont.
5th - Reuben Statford, Plains, Mont.
6th - Steven Clark, Missoula, Mont.
LITE TRIATHLON
Ladies
2nd - Carolyn Lisle, Libby, Mont.
3rd - Carmin Sather, Noxon, Mont.
4th - Tamra Weltz, Noxon, Mont.
5th - Robin Schiferl, Libby, Mont.
Men’s
2nd - Chris Clemens, Clark Fork, Idaho
3rd - Canaan Bontadelli, Bozeman Mont.
4th - Skyler Farnes, Kalispell, Mont.
Relay Lite Triathlon
1st- ChickiChickiDude, Plains, Mont.