Butte American Legion Silver Bow Post # 1 sponsored the 85th Running of the Veterans Day Race. On a beautiful sunny day with icy snow covered streets; 38 individual’s toed the line and traversed the 2 ½ and 5 mile courses with grit and determination.
The Five-mile race Men’s Division was won by Michael LaForest in a time of 37:02. Michael was presented with the C. Owens Smithers
trophy for his victory. C. Owens Smithers started the race in 1934 as a way to honor the World War 1 and Spanish American War veterans.
Nicole Murray won the Women’s Division for the 16th time with a time of 35:04. Nicole was awarded the Lisa Merrifield (Dennehy) trophy
named in honor of Lisa who was the first female winner of the open Division race. The Veterans Day Race in the 1950’s through
the mid 1970’s primarily a high school contest where high School athletes from around Montana came to Butte and ran through the streets
of the Richest Hill on Earth. In 1976 the American Legion moved the race to the flats and opened the race up to all age groups.
On the other end of the spectrum Tom McGuire completed another Veteran’s Day race at the young age of 77 completing the course in 1:28:22 followed by his younger brother Dan McGuire at 1:30:48. Tom stressed again that he does this race every year to honor all of the Veterans for their service and sacrifice.
There was a total of 21 participants in the five-mile division.
In the 2 ½ mile jaunt referred to some as the High School Division the over all winner was William McAnulty in a blazing time of 19:05.
William was awarded the Martin Kearney Trophy. Martin Kearney was the winner of the race in 1940 and went on to be a race organizer until his untimely death in 1970. In the girls division the overall winner was Krissy Kraczkowsky in a time of 20:32. Krissy was awarded the Mary Whalen (Crowe) trophy for the best female high school athlete. Mary was a past winner of the high School division in the late 1970’s. Mary’s father Jack who recently passed away was a driving force in keeping Montana’s oldest race alive and vibrant.
Phil Cammack was given the John “Scotty” Wolf Lifetime Achievement Award for years of dedicated volunteer work for the annual race. The timing crew consisted of Charlie and Betty Merrifield and Lisa Dennehey (Merrifield). Steve Allen is the Company Commander of the American Legions Silver Bow Post # 1.
Race results:
5 Mile
Female 14 and under 1) Olivia Thurmond 45:42,
Female 30 – 39 1) Stephanie Kirtley 39:46 2) Liz Lahey 52:33
Female 40 – 49 1) Michele Bazzanella 43:03
Female 50 – 59 1) Nicole Murray 35:04 (Over all Female Finisher) 2) Ann Monaghan 51:33
Female 60 – 69 1) Susan Kaluza 45:42
Male 14 and under 1) Levi Wiltsie 42:54 2) Issac Zell 44:57 3) Jason Real 45:04
Male 15 – 18 Riley Lubick 38:05
Male 19 – 29 1) Jackson Duprey 41:56 2) Joshua Real 1:00:40
Male 30 – 39 1) Lucio Zell 43:29
Male 40 – 49 1) Michael DeForest 37:02 (Over all Male Finisher) 2) Jason Freeman 51:34
Male 60 – 69 1) Scott Craigle 41:13 2) Bill Kearney 44:50 3) Dan McGuire 1:30:48
Male 70 – 70 1) Mike Patterson 50:30 2) Tom McGuire 1:28:22
2 ½ Mile
Female 14 and Under 1) Kalsin McGuire
Female 15 and over 1) Krissy Kraczkowsky 20:32 (Over all Female Finisher 2 ½ mile) 2) Eddie Walker 29:44 3) Karla Pomrenke 29:57
4) Delores Giacomino 59:22 5) Debbie Mueler 59:23
Male 14 and under 1) Connor Kachmarik 19:47 2) Jack Holmes 20:27 3) Brian Poole 37:27 4) Rowan Poole 37:30
5) Conan Holmes 37:50
Male 15 and over 1) William Mcanulty 19:05 (Over all Male Finisher 2 ½ mile) 2) Daniel Kachmarik 19:47 3) Ruben Poole 37:25
4) William McGuire 37:38 5) Robert Kearney 40:12
