Race directors Marc Driver and Sean McLaughlin used about as much as possible of Galena Lodge's summer trail system in coming up with the challenges of Sunday's fourth annual Galena Grinder Whit Henry Memorial Race.
And the course along Rip 'N Tear, Tilt-a-Whirl, Grinder Climb and Psycho was indeed challenging, especially for the 26 double cross-country finishers who took anywhere from four hours and seven hours to finish the two-lap, 44.5-mile route.
In all, there were 70 finishers and close to 90 entries, nearly reaching the pre-race goal of 100 racers.
Dave Harrison (4.03:37) was the fastest double XC man by a 13-minute margin and Jennifer Wilson (4.57:58) topped the long course women. Pro/Expert winners over one lap or 22 miles were Cody Peterson (1.53:28) and newly-crowned national NORBA cross-country winner Georgia Gould (1.58:32).
The top pros and experts earned $150 cash prizes while the double XC winners took home cash and prizes. Other top finishers qualified for prizes as well and Sun Summit South donated a bike. In addition, a benefit raffle raised $1,000, according to Galena Lodge operator Don Shepler.
Held in September the past three years, the Whit Henry race is named for the 20-year-old mountain biking and skiing enthusiast from Bellevue and Wood River High School who died in a car accident July 2, 2003 on the road to Fairfield.
When staged in September in the past, there were times that the Grinder witnessed some snow. Sunday's heat was so oppressive that "some of the riders were wishing for snow," Shepler said. Otherwise the race went off well, he said. "It was a long, challenging course," Shepler added.
Whit's mother, Gail Henry, and his brother Luke pitched in and joined volunteers in making it a memorable event. Two of Whit's friends, Thayne and Erik Rolf, won age classes.
Results follow by class:
Men's double cross country (44.5 miles): 1—Dave Harrison (1.55:38 first lap, 2.07:59 second lap) for 4.03:37. 2—Ryon Butterfield (1.55:41/2.20:53) for 4.16:34. 3—Jon Gould (1.57:10/2.20:21) for 4.17:31. 4—Dusty LaBarr (1.55:34/2.23:30) for 4.19:04. 5—David Wilson (2.06:32/2.16:11) for 4.22:43. 6—Whit Albright (2.00:10/2.29:38) for 4.29:48. 7—Rob Siri (2.09:02/2.24:25) for 4.33:27. 8—Michael Shane (2.14:30/2.32:38) for 4.47:08. 9—Reed Melton (2.08:35/2.42:27) for 4.51:02. 10—Pete Ross (2.11:05/2.43:51) for 4.54:56.
11—Eric Rector (2.12:02/2.49:55) for 5.01:57. 12—Mike Herlinger (2.18:07/2.45:26) for 5:03.33. 13—Chris Howell (2.25:55/2.54:28) for 5.20:23. 14—Kris Thoreson (2.28:18/2.55:59) for 5.24:17. 15—Tim Inch (2.39:50/3.00:52) for 5.40:42. 16—Stan Allen (2.41:40/3.06:44) for 5.48:24. 17—Dave Bell (2.39:02/3.25:25) for 6.04:27. 18—Will Raff (2.52:44/3.24:24) for 6.17:08. 19—Roger Mankus (2.53:58/3.25:07) for 6.19:05. Other riders—Robert Schwing, Justin Griffin and A. Hashmir.
Women's double cross country (44.5 miles): 1—Jennifer Wilson (2.31:01/2.26:57) for 4.57:58. 2—Julie Minahan (2.34:25/2.33:18) for 5.07:43. 3—Lynn Stott (2.52:35/2.42:17) for 5.34:52. 4—Michelle Butterfield (3.19:55/3.24:48) for 6.44:45. Other riders—India Wysong.
Pro/Expert Men (22 miles): 1—Cody Peterson 1.53:28. 2—Todd Smith 2.01:06. 3—Sam Young 2.07:16. 4—Gordo Sanchez 2.10:24. 5—Tres Wilson 2.13:15. 6—Rich Hardy 2.17:59. 7—Allen Deahl 2.18:36. 8—Ray Liermann 2.22:59. 9—CK 2.27:09. Other riders—Mat Hall and Joshua Berry.
Pro/Expert Women (22 miles): 1—Georgia Gould 1.58:32. 2—Muffy Ritz 2.28:50.
Sport Men (17 miles): 1—Erik Rolf 1.46:13. 2—Carter Rarnsay 1.51:30. 3—Ross McAllister 1.58:18. 4—Keegan Swenson 2.02:29. 5—Ben Young 2.02:48. 6—Craig Maxwell 2.09:16. 7—Tim Shaub 2.10:15. 8—Michael Olenick 2.10:56. 9—Connor Caraluzzi 2.11:05. 10—Joshua Wells 2.12:24. 11—Rick Fahey 2.12:27. 12—Austin Moses 2.12:45. 13—Eric Wilder 2.14:31. 14—Steve Rogers 2.16:57. 15—Chris Schutz 2.17:50. 16—Conor Matthews 2.21:02. 17—Ken Edwards 2.39:46.
Sport Women (17 miles): 1—Karoline Droege 2.18:07.
Masters Men 45-plus (17 miles): 1—Jordan Swenson 1.46:30. 2—Carl Praeger 1.55:43. 3—Dick Newson 2.18:04. 4—Daniel Pastick 2.35:22. 5—Steve Edsall 2.35:51. 6—Jim Pitkin 2.37:30. Other riders—Bill Sutcliff.
Masters Women 45-plus (17 miles): 1—Cherry Thornton 2.45:42.
Beginner Men 19-45 (11 miles): 1—Thayne Rolf 57:29. 2—Murel Stephens 1.28:41. 3—Sean Stephens 1.28:42.
Beginner Women 19-45 (11 miles): 1—Heidi Flood 1.19:04. 2—Barb Clark 1.23:40.
Junior Open Men 12-18 (11 miles): 1—Hunt Williams 57:28. 2—Blake Wiehe 58:33. 3—Nathan Moses 1.12:16. 4—Spence Peterson 1.15:46.
Stan Allen rides the 44.5-mile double cross country course Sunday at Galena Lodge. Courtesy photo by Bryan Moody.
