Runnin' O' The Green

Since it's actually St. Patricks Day, seeme dlike a good time to do a recap of last weekends St. Paddy's Day races.

With the weekend, the Muddy Buzzards big 3 of 2009 have now all got their first races of 2010 out of the way.  You'll recall that Jimmy Grant won the Snow Joke 1/2 Marathon the last weekend of February in a solid 1:12:51.

The next winner was Thomas "Big Bird" Jodoin of Helena.  He made the short trip to Anaconda for the annual AOH Locker Room Bar St. Patrick's Races.  With a new course "record", he handily won the 3-mile race in 14:07.  With a net downhill course and a good tailwind (this year wind gusts of 15 - 20 mph were present) you have all the elements in place for a screaming race.  And Thomas took full advantage of it.

Ray Hunt was 2nd overall and 1st Master with a solid 15:13.  He was followed by Josh Panasuk (Butte HS) in 15:35, Brian Wieck in 15:39 and Mad Dog Speece in 15:59 (2nd Master and 1st ever 50+ runner to be sub-16:00 at this event).

On the women's side, Nicole Hunt had a stellar start to the year with her 15:50 (also a new course record).  With her time, she was also 5th overall.  For someone nearing the master's category, there is no sign of her slowing down.

In the 6-mile race, 52-year old Ray Matteson won overall in 35:16.  40+ runner Craig Kenworthy was 2nd in 35:48, followed by Butte's Ozzie Rosenleaf in 35:57.  Good day for the old guy set.

For full results, check out http://www.buttespissandmoanrunners.com/


Over in Billings, Alan King kicked off his Montana campaign.  (He had started his year in Houston in January with a 1:09 1/2 marathon.)  At the annual Shamrock Run, he had a very solid 15:54 for the 5K distance.  Having run this same course many times during my 16 years in Billings, I can attest to the fact that a sub-16 time on this course is a very solid run.  Steven Kosnar was the master's winner in 17:50, good for 7th overall.

In Missoula, Justin Yates won the inaugural Run for the Luck of it 5K.  On a breezy day, he put together a 17:00 time for the overall win. First master's was Tony Banovich in 18:21, good for 3rd overall.

Have not yet seen results for Run For the Pub in Bozeman or the races in Polson, Great Falls, and Helena.  If you know of where I can find those results, let me know.

See you on the roads, tracks and trails.

The Muddy Buzzard