Despite evidence to the contrary, not all Americans are turning into couch potatoes.
More than 2,200 Idaho spuds finished the 30th annual Race to Robie Creek half-marathon in Boise Saturday, giving the clicker a rest for at least one day.
Of course, participants' legs might have felt like mashed potatoes after finishing the 13.1 mile course, which climbs about 8.5 punishing miles before a 4-mile plus downhill which is almost as hard on the gams.
Boise runner Cori Mooney captured a record-tying fourth title Saturday, winning the women's race in 1:27.01. Mooney tied the record for overall wins set by Marilyn Grisham, but still owns the course's fastest mark of 1:23.52 set in 1998.
28-year old Angenie McCleary of Ketchum finished fourth overall and second in her age group in 1:40.48. Jamie Harding was 46th overall and 10th in her age group in 1:57.15.
The men's winner was 28-year old Patrick McCurry of Meridian with a blistering time of 1:18.05. McCurry, a 1995 graduate of Bishop Kelly High School, was 29 seconds in front of runner-up Jeremy Kirk of Mountain Home.
Local men in the mix were Keith Booth of Hailey. Booth completed the course in 1:55.53 to finish 232nd in the men's overall and 49th in his age class. John Gorham of Ketchum was 413th overall and 118th in his age class with a time of 2:06.08. Hailey's Dave Keir was 611th out of 1,215 men, and 118th in his class with a time of 2:17.12.
In the women's division, 1,067 racers finished the course. Belying her less-than-blazing speed on the soccer pitch, Tizz Miller of Bellevue was 106th overall and 24th in her age class with a time of 2:06.06. Chalk it up to grim determination.
Gadrie Edmunds of Hailey (231st overall/42nd age class) clocked in at 2:17.12; Gretchen Gorham (270th/69th) 2:20.51; Kristin Syms (371st/52nd) 2:29.39; Nicole Brown (380th/53rd) 2:30.12; Gretchen Goss (105th/577th) 2:46.42; Mackenzie Dennard (1003rd/172nd) 3:57.40; and Andrea Palm (1004th/173rd) 3:57.40.
