Stampede draws big crowd, fast finishes

Start of the half marathon. BRIAN STEADMAN photo.

ISLAND PARK — Cool weather and cloudy skies did not dampen the spirits of the record-breaking crowd that participated in the 14th annual All American Sawtelle Stampede here Saturday, July 3. In fact, the cooler weather may have been why there were many personal best times, comparing this year’s results to those of other years.

For the first time ever, the event passed the 300 participant mark, with 338 finishers. Once again, more females registered for all course lengths than men.

The 5k was the most popular course, with 63 male and 114 female finishers.

Aldon Bishop, 15, of Mack’s Inn, won the 5k run. His time was 19:38, more than a minute faster than second place winner, Kirk Force, 17, from Pocatello, whose time was 20:49. Aldon’s brother, Harold, 21, finished the 5k in sixth place with a time of 22:52.

Aldon and Kirk were first and second last year, too, and both had faster times this year.

Shannon Whitmer, 50, from Chubbuck, won the women’s 5k in 23 minutes, 47 seconds. She was also last year’s 5k winner, and she beat her 2009 time.

Other lengths were half marathon, which 22 females and 19 males ran and three females and one male walked, 10k, which 35 females and 30 males ran or walked, and the 1k, which 27 females and 24 males ran or walked.

Luke Rothey, 35, of Farmington, Utah, won the men’s half marathon with a time of 1:27.44. Dave Gregory, 30, of Island Park was officially second with a time of 1:31:56. But Gregory said he actually came in third because an unregistered man from South Africa he ran most of the way with inched ahead to cross the finish line in second place.

Jenesey Sparks, 30, from Gilbert, AZ, won the women’s half marathon in one hour, 46 minutes, 38 seconds.

Elijah Armstrong, 13, from Pocatello, won the men’s 10k with a time of 40 minutes. Amy Smith, 43, from Driggs, won the women’s 10k in 47 minutes, 34 seconds.

SuePrize Bishop, 11, from Mack’s Inn, was the overall 1k course winner with a time of four minutes, 24 seconds. Six-year-old Jack Whitmer, Chubbuck, was the top boy finisher in the 1k. He ran the course in five minutes, 3 seconds.

The Island Park Library Friends and the Island Park Historical Society sponsored the 1k. Many area businesses contributed sponsorship money and goods and services to the overall event.

Most participants were from Idaho and Utah, but people were also from Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The Stampede is a fundraiser for the Island Park Area Chamber of Commerce, with profits from registrations, sponsorships, and a raffle going to a non-motorized trail project conceived by the Island Park Gem Community Team.

The Stampede is run on Caribou-Targhee National Forest trails, with beautiful views of Sawtelle Peak and Henry’s Lake Flat that eluded Saturday’s crowd because of clouds — although, as noted, the cooler weather was perfect for running.

To celebrate Independence Day, participants are encouraged to wear patriotic colors and water stations were decorated with American Flags and other patriotic items. The event began with a prayer by The Little Church in the Pines Pastor C.D. Weaver, followed by a performance of the National Anthem, verses one and four, by Lorrie Robb.

Several family teams participated, and also the Red Hat Mountain Mommas and Fremont County.

All results are on line at RunnerCard, a professional timing company’s Web site. Click here.

Connie Funkhouser, the event's director and Island Park Chamber of Commerce president, presented the Best Patriotically Dressed Award to Arden Sellars, who sold raffle tickets to participants and spectators.

Funkhouser said she was, "impressed by and grateful for the amazing spirit this year from the participants and the many volunteers from the community who worked at water stations, handled registration and timing, sold sponsorships that covered the back of the event's tee shirts, sponsored the kids event, took care of trail and staging area duties, and helped with announcements at the stage provided by Ron Palmer Constuction and sound system by Bill Smith of Eagle Equipment.
It takes a huge amount of community spirit to pull off an event like this. Thanks to all who helped."

 

This is part of the online edition of Henry's Fork Country.

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