Evan Eck of Helena and Abby McGee of Butte claimed overall titles at the 78th running of the Veterans Day Race Wednesday in Butte.
Eck, who is deaf, finished the icy 5.2-mile course in 31 minutes, 34 seconds to win his first Veterans Day Race. He also claimed the top spot in the male 20-29 age group.
Two-time champion Peter Dan Sullivan of Helena placed second, crossing in 32:44. Butte runner Don Foley took third overall, clocking in with a time of 33:51.
Two years ago McGee won the 2.5-mile race. Wednesday she claimed her first female overall title in the long race. The Butte Central junior finished the 5.2-mile course in 40:47 for the victory.
Butte’s Susan Kaluza placed a close second at 40:52.
Butte High senior Seth Grant took home the boys’ high school title. He finished with a time of 40:42.
In all, 32 runners completed the race, which is the oldest road race in Montana and one of the oldest races in the West.
During the awards ceremony, long-time race timer Betty Merrifield was presented with the John “Scotty” Wulf Lifetime Achievement Award.
5.2-MILE RACE
Male High School
Seth Grant 40:42
Female High School
Abby McGee 40:47
Male 20-29
Evan Eck 31:24
Female 20-29
Renee Schmidt 41:11
Male 30-39
Thomas Jodoin 35:09
Dan Kachmarik 41:40
Female 30-39
Erinn Guzik 56:19
Male 40-49
Don Foley 33:51
Daniel McGee 38:05
Bob Whelan 43:05
David Romer 44:04
Female 40-49
Cyndie Lockett 41:18
Dana Cotton 53:47
Male 50-59
Peter Dan Sullivan 32:44
Pat O’Connor 36:59
Bill Kearney 40:36
Greg DeWitt 41:00
Kurt Kuchi 41:10
Scott Craigle 43:31
Don Grinsell 46:29
Paul Riley 46:40
Mike Kearney 51:08
Female 50-59
Susan Kaluza 40:52
Liz McGuff 43:28
Cheryl Peterslie 1:21:33
Male 60-69
Tom Hayes 40:48
Tim Johnston 48:40
Vern Roberts 49:35
Dave Mueller 52:14
Tom McGuire 58:57
Female 60-69
Eddie Walker 52:02
2.5-MILE RACE
Female 50-59
Jane Foster 31:40
