Vandenburg wins LeGrizz

A total of 84 runners from eight states and four Canadian provinces completed the 28th annual Le Grizz 50-Mile Ultramarathon footrace on Oct. 10. The Le Grizz event is USA Track & Field Montana's 50 Mile Championship race.

The race took place along the west shore of Hungry Horse Reservoir in record cold temperatures — the thermometer read zero at the start of the race. Thirty-five starters had never run 50 miles before, but everyone finished.

The overall winner was Brian Vandenburg, of Spokane, Wash., in 6 hours 28 minutes 48 seconds. Vandenburg's father Larry, also of Spokane, was second overall and took the Seniors Division (50-plus' in 7:35:25. Murray Barker, of Medicine Hat, Alberta, placed first in the Masters division (40-49) at 8:15:21.

Among the women, overall winner was Masters runner Debbie Gibson, of Helena, in 8:12:35. Libby Olson, of Kimberley, B.C., took the Open Division (under-40) in 8:43:19. Gunhild Swanson, of Spokane Valley, Wash., was the first Seniors runner in 9:26:12.

Michael Straw (7:42:38) and Heidi Perry (8:44:37), both of Missoula, took the Montana honors in the Open Division. Montana Masters winners were Andrew Matulionis, of Whitefish (8:27:21), and Gibson.

The Cheetah Herders Athletic Club, of Seeley Lake, sponsors the annual event with assistance from Kalispell Special Olympics, North Valley Search and Rescue and local volunteers. Pat Caffrey was the race director.

For more information, visit online at www.cheetahherders.com.