Friday night’s snow storm wasn’t enough to stop 91 runners and walkers from competing in Bruce’s Big Butte Challenge Saturday.
The race took place in the snow, slush and mud behind Big Butte and Montana Tech. The 11-kilometer race included a trek up the face of Big Butte early on.
Helena’s Jeff Thomas won the 11K race with a time of 58 minutes, 16 seconds. Hugh Murphy placed second at 59:10, while Blair Hopkins placed third at 100:28.
(Story continues below photo gallery)
Carrie Holland runs up the face of Big Butte during the Big Butte Challenge April. 15. (Bill Foley photo)Sean Foley runs fast down the home stretch to place second in the 5K. (Bill Foley photo)Blair Hopkins watches his step as he climbs up the muddy Big Butte trail. (Bill Foley photo)David Mueller, Joe Griffin and Dan Mueller head up Big Butte. (Bill Foley photo)Jeff Thomas of Helena runs up the face of Big Butte on his way to the 11K victory at Bruce's Big Butte Challenge April 15, 2017. (Butte Sports file photo)Jack Batsel eyes the finish line. (Bill Foley photo)Scott "Scooter" Parini celebrates at the end of his 5-kilometer walk. (Bill Foley photo)Lance Oswald heads to the finish line. (Bill Foley photo)Kate Elam approaches the finish line in the 5K. (Bill Foley photo)Elliot Archibald works hard to get to the top of Big Butte. (Bill Foley photo)Justin Kambic kicks it into high gear to beat Matt Kambic. (Bill Foley photo)Zander Simpson zeroes in on the finish line. (Bill Foley photo)Tim Near of Whitehall runs after reaching the top of Heartbreak Hill. (Bill Foley photo)Shawna Holland is all smiles at the finish line. (Bill Foley photo)Gary Hoar makes his way up Big Butte. (Bill Foley photo)Hugh Murphy approaches to the parking area on Big Butte. (Bill Foley photo)Halle Oswald finishes fast. (Bill Foley photo)Dressed for success, Erik McKell climbs Big Butte. (Bill Foley photo)Carlos Monroy runs hard down the home stretch. (Bill Foley photo)Barry Brophy closes in on the finish line. (Bill Foley photo)Annabelle Kambic finishes strong to beat Joe Kambic. (Bill Foley photo)Anna Elam, left, and Colter Elam are neck and neck near the finish line. (Bill Foley photo)Amanda Badovinac finishes just ahead of her husband, Brett, and Michael Real. (Bill Foley photo)
Butte’s Carrie Holland was the fastest woman runner. She crossed in 1:07:28.
Guy Wadas Butte High’s cross country coach, won the 5K with a time of 22:13. One of his runners, freshman Sean Foley, placed second at 23:43.
Carlos Monroy placed third at 26:01.
Amanda Badovinac of Butte claimed the women’s title with a time of 26:26. Courtney Lyndes took second at 27:42.
Kooper Kuchtyn, 14, won the 1-mile race with a time of 7:21. Rebecca Schnabel, 15, was the fastest female runner with a time of 7:23. She finished just ahead of Lyza Schnabel, 40, who crossed in 7:24.
Jason Real, 6, placed second in the male standings in 8:28.
The Big Challenge dates back to 1980. This year, the event was named in honor of longtime runner and race organizer Bruce Robinson.
