The 40th Snow Mountain Ranch Stampede was legendary! Both days of the weekend were bluebird Colorado days with almost no wind and perfect temperatures. The snow was hard packed and the skaters could bite into it. Even after 4 laps of the 12.5k course, the surface remained firm with times faster than last year. The course was a bit less aggressive than years past but was still very challenging even to the best. The Snow Mtn Stampede is one of the original marathons of the Great American Ski Chase of the 90s and until about 10 years ago was the highest altitude marathon in the world. In 2017, the Stampede became a two-day event with Skate events on Saturday and Classic on Sunday presenting the only chance in the country to ski back-to-back marathons as well as the unique opportunity to earn a Ranch Boss silver buckle for completing both 50Ks or a Ranch Hand silver belt buckle for completing both 25Ks. What a test of endurance! But many brave souls did exactly that – 22 completed 50K each day and another 46 completed 25K each day, the youngest being Jacob Schopp WPCC age 12. We’re getting the kids started right! 11 Whipper Snappers completed both 3k races and 11 Cow Polks completed both 12.5K races. Bravo and pass the Pasta!!
Racers could choose between the most challenging 50K – 4 loops of the 12.5K course, the shorter course of 25K – 2 loops, or 12.50k- 1 loop and compete in 10-year age group with age group winners getting a classic cowboy hat. The Juniors competed on the 3K course with age groups 7-and-under to 13 or could enter the longer races to age 18 for only $10. The excitement in the youth group is so encouraging to all of us! With almost 400 racers over both days, it takes a lot of volunteers to make it all work. The Snow Mtn Ranch Nordic Center and Programs Dept combined with the volunteer Grand Country Nordic Race Committee planned and worked beyond belief, Grand County locals or employees responded to the urgent call for volunteers, and the races went off without a hitch. Groomers earned every bit of the praise heaped upon them for the spectacular condition of the course. Together, it was an incredible team effort…
SATURDAY FREESTYLE
Patrick Caldwell finished out in front of the 50K field with a finish time of 2hr 38:43 seconds ahead of the near photo-finish between Adrew Huck at 2:38:58, the first woman finisher Jessica Yeaton at 2:39:01 and Ryan Sederquist at 2:39:09. What a sprint for the finish after 50Ks! Five minutes ahead of the next pack… Several local favorites like Logan Miyauchi, John Schropp, and Jim Howe did well in their age groups. Second woman Jill Sorrenson finished 23rd overall at 3:16:34 and 3rd woman was Britt Dick was 27th overall at 3:21:52 out of a field of 62 finishers.
Ewan Gallagher from the Winter Park Competition Center led the 25K Skate race at 1:19:13 the entire distance over second finisher Maxime Maronde from DU at 1:19:46 while Niiaz Ibragimov at 1:22:13 held our over the challenging Jamie Mothersbaugh at 1:22:56. Together with Michael West, they were a pack of 5 within 12 seconds of each other at the lap with Shawn Scholl close behind. First woman was Claudia Burgess at 1:32:31 who finished 12th overall with Jordan French at 1:34:24 who finished 15th, and Kelli McCall at 1:35:14 was 17th overall. Locals like Christina Weber, Patrick Brower, former local Bill Reed, Karen Manske, Jim Reed all finished in the top three of their age groups with WPCC Jacob Schropp the youngest finisher at age 12.
The most inspirational was Sharon Crawford age 79 who won her age class in the 25k with a time of 2:55:54 from Summit County Masters. And she wasn’t last…The Golden Boot went to Kimberly Pepin finishing in 5:48:53. And she came in with a smile…
Peter Valentyik smoked the 12.5K finish with a 41:45, leaving Sebastian Brower (44:40) from SMR gliding into second and Barrett Acker from MPHS (45:42) edging out Marat Gilfanov age 12 who finished at 45:45. Judy Hulme who led the women was 6th overall at 48:37, well ahead of Cara Szuch WPCC age 11 (55.00), Maggie Michalowski CREW (55.14) and Elliott Adema WPCC age 11 at 57:10. Many WPCC athletes like Leo Brown, Ben Kaune and Hugh Austin were racing this distance at age 10-11-12. Jo Anne Weaver won her age class at 1:19:42 in a field of 27 finishers.
Tad Enos from BJNRT took home the Teddy bear leading the kids 3K Skate race in 11:51 with Rolan Gilfanov 10 sec behind and Evan and Eva Boylan a minute back separated by 13 sec. WPCC had a great showing with Kit and Quinn Michalowski, Torsten and Tayen Rydholm, and Ellie Brown all topping their age classes to name a few.
CLASSIC SUNDAY
Sunday dawned a bit overcast and colder – perfect for Classic! Tracks set overnight were firm over the 12.5K loop and most people loved the course – plenty of hills and curves that rolled together seamlessly to challenge even the best skiers. The fields were a little smaller but times were similar.
The 50K was led all the way by Ryan Sederquist, finishing at 2 hr 51:00 minutes, as Eric Meyer and Logan Miyauchi diced it out with Meyer reaching deep to finish ahead at 3:04:10 and Miyauchi only slowing in the last lap to finish at 3:06:23. First woman was Erin Hood, who finished at 3:53:46 and had finished the 50K the day before, was well ahead of Maria Wik at 3:57:14. Interesting that all the 50K female finishers were in their 40’s. The Golden Boot went to Dan McDonald finishing in 5:50:26.
The top six finishers in the 25K were within 5 minutes of each other with the youngest Ewan Gallagher age 18 leading the way, finishing at 1:32:54. Jamie Mothersbaugh was a minute later at 1:33:41, followed by Niiaz Ibragimov at 1:34:51, Joe LaMonte (1:35:22), Mike West (1:36:37) and Shawn Scholl at 1:38:16. First woman at 8th overall – Sierra Jech finished at 1:45:07 with Dewa Ilg age 16 second at 1:51:08 and Emily Lovett at 1:59:47 finishing 21 out of a field of 63 finishers.
Sebastian Brower smoked the 12.5K with a 47:43 finish but the next six were packed into 6 minutes – Arthur Gilfanov (51:57) acing his brother Marat Gilfanov (52:14) and Kajsa Wik (53:45) first woman. Judith Rabinowitz was close behind at 54:33 with Judi Hulme on her heels finishing at 55:59 and Ben Kaune winding up the pack with 57:46.
Since Tad Enos won the big Teddy bear Saturday for the Kids 3k Skate race, he presented the second bear he had earned to Eva Boylan first female on Saturday. The field was filled with WPCC athletes.
GRAND NORDIC RACE SERIES
The second-year series was sponsored by Grand Nordic, CO Nordic Masters, and Winter Park Competition Center with the best finishes in four out of six races counting toward series standing. Overall Male and Female in the Long Race series were Dan Weinberger and Maria Wik. Short Race series Niiaz Ibragimov and Elizabeth Miyauchi, 12.5k Sebastian Brower and Judi Hulme, and 3K Juniors Lexi Weinberger and Tad Enos. Please go to the Race Series page for complete Stampede and Race series results.
