By Bill Foley
Jesse Zentz and Joby Rosenleaf ran to victory on a picture perfect Friday morning in the Mining City.
The day, however, belonged to 5-year-old Carlie Kearney. The young girl, whose family now lives in Missoula, carried on a Butte family tradition and then some at the 79th Veterans Day Race.
Carlie ran the 2.5-mile race with her father, 2004 Butte Central graduate Ryan Kearney, as the Kearney family reached its fourth generation of runners in Montana’s oldest road race.
“I’m not super tired,” Carlie said moments after the race. “I had fun.”
Carlie finished the race in 35 minutes, 11 seconds. She placed second in the female division behind Sheila Franey, who finished in 32:39. Carlie, though, clearly was the winner of her age group, if there was one that low.
“I never had a race before,” Carlie said. “This was my first race, but I made it.”
Carlie finished the race waiving to a crowd of supporters and sporting a wide smile. She was even more excited when she was awarded her second-place trophy.
“She was so tough,” Ryan said. “I would say she ran about 70 percent. She didn’t take many breaks.”
Carlie’s mother, Ashleigh (Franklin), also a BC grad, completed the race while pushing Carlie’s two younger siblings in a stroller.
Ryan Kearney is a past champion of the 5.2-mile race. His uncle Bill Kearney also won the race. So did his grandfather, Marty Kearney. Ryan’s uncle, Pat Kearney, was the long-time organizer of the race.
Pat Kearney passed away in October of 2014, but his spirit was very much alive at Friday’s race, which came on possibly the nicest Veterans Day Butte has ever seen.
Ryan Kearney wore his uncle’s old shoe while running with his daughter.
“Pat Kearney is still running,” he said.
Zentz, 40, from Helena, won the men’s title in the 5.2-mile race with a blistering time of 29:09. Fellow Helena runner Evan Eck, the 2015 champion, placed second in 30:18. Michael LaForest placed third in 32:40.
Rosenleaf, who just finished her senior season on the Butte High cross country team, won the women’s title in 37:09. Long-time Butte competitive runner Susie Kaluza, who won the 50-59 age group, placed second in 39:39. Butte Central senior Abby McGee took third in 40:33.
Team Near won the male 2.5-mile race in 23:01.
In all, 47 runners competed in the race, which started at Stodden Park and ended at the American Legion Hall.
79th Veterans Day Race
2.5-mile race
Female
Sheila Franey 32:39
Carlie Kearney 35:11
Ashleigh Kearney 41:44
Kay Newman 50:06
Cheryl Peterslie 50:08
Debbie Seitz 50:04
Male
Tim Near 23:01
Ryan Kearney 35:12
5.2-mile race
Female Overall
Joby Rosenleaf 37:09
Susie Kaluza 39:59
Abby McGee 40:33
Male Overall
Jesse Zentz 29:09
Evan Eck 30:18
Michael LaForest 32:40
Female High School
Joby Rosenleaf 37:09
Abby McGee 40:33
Rosie Real 41:19
Male High School
Kasey Krzan 34:44
Sean Foley 38:12
Female 14 and under
Ida Real 44:18
Male 20-29
Chad Neu 36:19
Trevor Fuhrman 36:27
Justin Penner 1:00:38
Male 30-39
Evan Eck 30:18
Michael LaForest 32:40
Phillip K 35:13
Brandon Bradley 38:04
Seth Salusso 105:48
Conan Moore 105:49
Female 40-49
Cyndie Lockett 42:02
Male 40-49
Jesse Zentz 29:09
Don Foley 33:48
Dan McGee 38:07
Kelly Ferriter 38:55
Bob Whelan 44:06
Female 50-59
Susie Kaluza 39:59
Traci Merzlak 1:00:06
Male 50-59
Jeff Braun 33:16
Bill Kearney 39:22
Scott Craigle 43:22
Mike Real 45:56
Mike McCaughey 34:18
Female 60-69
Eddie Walker 51:45
Male 60-69
Howard Morris 45:06
Tim Johnston 51:02
Mike Patterson 51:45
Joe Griffin 51:46
Dave Mueller 51:59
Vern Roberts 52:03
Chris Wareham 52:09
Bob Foley 56:11
Tom McGuire 59:54
Male 70 plus
Leon Sherman 1:00:41
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