CANYON CITY Brent Labhart of John Day breezed to first place in the annual Gold Rush Run and Walk, running the course in 18:06 minutes.

Labhart, 18, ran in the mens age 15-19 division, as he claimed his third title as overall winner. He set a new course record.

Casey Gatz of Canyon City came in a close second at 18:26.

The first woman across the line was Sarah Bush, 39, of Canyon City, running in the womens 30-39 division. She came in at 23:33.

They were among nearly 70 hardy runners who braved a chilly, gray morning to compete in the annual event, part of the 62 Days celebration.

Considering the cold, drizzly morning, and the snow low on Little Canyon Mountain this morning, folks showed they are not afraid of a little weather in Grant County. The turnout today was nearly the best ever, said race organizer Hugh Snook.

Several families ran and walked together. Randy and Kathy Gilliam of Canyon City were joined in the event by their daughter Jodi and two granddaughters, Sophie and Sydney.

Other family entrants included Andrew Janssen of John Day with his son Zerihun, 5; Colleen Wyllie of John Day and daughter Rietta; Elizabeth Shelley of John Day and son Kellen; Randa Webb of Canyon City and daughter Claire; Kristin and Kelsey Long of Seneca; and Sherri Dowdy of John Day with daughter Sylvia.

Many couples enjoyed the event together, including Roy and Kris Beal of Mt Vernon, Tim and Tracie Unterwegner of John Day, Larry and Donna Baughman of Canyon City, Ron and Sherri Lundbom of John Day, and Zac and Heather Bailey of Canyon City.

Commemorative gold-filled globes topped by small prospector figures were awarded to the fastest runners in four divisions. Labhart won the prize for the fastest male under age 40, and Scott McDonald of Mt. Vernon for the fastest male 40 and over, winning fifth place overall with a time of 21:31. Sarah Bush won the award as the fastest woman under age 40, and seventh place overall, and Sonna Smith of Seneca won the women 40 and over division, in 18th place overall.

The event is sponsored by the Strawberry Striders and the Whiskey Gulch Gang. Volunteers helping with the event included Doug and Charol Smith, Chris Labhart, Mike Cosgrove, Tammy Bremner, Karen Jacobs and Jim Soupir.

 

    Following are the overall results. The initials signify the city of residence.

1. Brent Labhart, JD    18:06

2. Casey Gatz, CC        18:26

3. Robby Bullock, CC     21:16

4. Harsh Patel, JD         21:24

5.Scott McDonald, MV    21:31

6. Levi Manitsas, JD    21:58

7. Sarah Bush, CC        23:33

8. Daniel Soupir, PC    23:34

9. Michael Montague, MV    24:20

10. Heather Bailey, CC    24:40

11. Kim Jacobs, PC        24:54

12. Jenny Jacobs, PC    24:57

13. Tynan Callahan, JD    24:22

14. Reitta Wyllie, JD    25:31

15. Zac Bailey, CC        25:46

16. Richard Thompson, MV    25:55

17. Samantha Gerry, PC    25.56

18. Sonna Smith, Sen    25:58

19. Randy Gilliam, CC    26:12

20. Amber Handley, CC    26:13

21. Chad Lauer, CC    26:53

22. Jessyka Reyes, JD    26:53

23. Jana Shervey, Gladstone    26:38

24. Tammy McKenna, MV    27:10

25. Sydney Brockway, JD    27:19

26. Blaine Huffman, JD    28:13

27. Janet Plocharsky, JD    28:42

28. Kristin Long, Sen    28:59

29. Lisa Jensen, JD        29:14

30. Greg Floyd, CC        29:20

31. Elizabeth Shelley, JD    30:09

32. Kellen Shelley, JD    30:32

33. Braden Gregory, Vale    31:56

34. Peyton Neault, PC    31.56

35. Parker Neault, PC    34:41

36. Kathy Gilliam, CC    35:00

37. Ron Lundbom, JD    35:27

38. Jodi Brockway, JD    36:13

39. Charlene Morris, JD    36:26

40. Sherri Lundbom, JD    36:54

41. Kelsey Long, Sen    37:39

42. Kaona Martell, JD    42:25

43. Sherri Dowdy, JD    42:25

44. Katie Hensley, CC    42:25

45. Sylvia Dowdy, JD    42:25

46. Brooklynne Periera, JD    43:28

47. Keil Jaro, JD        42:43

48. Colleen Wyllie, JD    43:42

49. Zerihun Janssen, JD    45:30

50. Andrew Janssen, JD    45:31

51. Tim Unterwegner, JD    46:57

52. Larry Baughman, CC    47:10

53. Donna Baughman, CC    47:10

54. Tracie Unterwegner, JD    47:55

55. Sophie Brockway, JD    47:58

56. Preslie Thompson, JD    48:30

57. Shannon Winegar, MV    48:35

58. Gail Hammond, Baker     48:36

59. Roy Beal, MV        51:59

60. Kris Beal, MV        51:59

61. Mike Cosgrove, JD    51:33

62. Doug Smith, JD        51:33

63. Claire Webb, CC    52:54

64. Randa Webb, CC    52:58

65. Harriet Burton, JD    53:23

66. Mary Rowell, PC    54:32