Black Bear Event Sets New Record With 217 Competitors During 25th Run
By David Latva

The start of the 6k race during the 25th annual Black Bear Run Wednesday, July 4.

The Engadine/ Naubinway 25th annual 12-kilometer and 6- kilometer Black Bear Run and Walk set a new record with 217 competitors Wednesday, July 4.

Before the 8:30 a.m. start of the race, one of the workers at the 5k mark sited a black bear, but the namesake to the event strolled into the woods without interrupting the runners and walkers.

Curt Van of Sault Ste. Marie won the men's 12k with a time of 45:49.10 and Julia Crocker of Norman, Oklahoma, took first place in the women's 12k in 54:1780.

Brian Russell of Port Matrida, Pennsylvania, won the men's 6k in 21:50.20 and Rachel Button of Farmington Hills won the 6k women's in 23:59.00.

Area Top Three Runners in Age Division

12k Men: Luck Tanney of Newberry 52:01.70; Randy Viring of Sault Ste. Marie 52:09.00; Samuel Beaverson of Engadine 56:47.40; Gunnar Gustafson of Newberry 60:33.70; Ken Guillard of St. Ignace 61:38.06; Karl Gustafson of Newberry 68:05.90; and Mark Carlson of Brimley 87:56.60.

LaSalle High School graduates Brent Kanitz (1997) of Midland (left) and Lee Kanitz (1992) of Hessel were participants of the Black Bear Run.

12k Women: Diane Huskey of St. Ignace 56:44.50; Patti Stoetzer of Germfask 64:48.70; Kresta Gustafson of Newberry 67:47.50; Mary St. Antoine of St. Ignace 93:25.70; Morgan MacArthur of Engadine 105:39.70; and Kassandra Kerbersky of Naubinway 105:42.40.

6k Men: Brandyn Clemens of Mackinaw City 22:14.90; Chad Roll of Engadine 22.26.10; Michael Bennett of Engadine 23:29.40; Lee Kanitz of Hessel 23:38.40; Thomas Sida of Newberry 24:04.80; Alan Jarvie of Rudyard 25:35.70; Nathan Prince of Sault Ste. Marie 26:10.70; Elmer Albright of Naubinway 28:50.40; Isak Frazier of Engadine 34:13.40; Zack Frazier of Engadine 34:13.70; David Winchester of Engadine 33:55.20; Lester Livermore III of Engadine 34:01.20; J.J. Troyer of Engadine 37:19.10; and Jim Stansik of Naubinway 38:36.60.

6k Women: Mera Guillard of Newberry 24:49.60; Cheslea Swope of St. Ignace 27:00.60; Kate Ludow of Newberry 27:42.20; Kaitlin Hobbs of Naubinway 31:58.20; Aspen Hood of Naubinway 35:19.20; Jessica Pershinske of Engadine 38:11.80; Samantha Bennett of Naubinway 40:02.00; and Brooke Livermore of Engadine 43:57.40.

Brian Russell of Port Matrida, Pennsylvania, won the men's 6k in 21.50.20.

6k Walk: Ellis Stuffin of Naubinway 46:27.30; Rae Marie Klobucher of Engadine 52:53.60; Delores Watts of Naubinway 60:53.30; Gus Hassenrik of Naubinway 61:21.20; Drake Dewyse of Engadine 73:10.30; and Zeak Dewyse of Engadine 73:17.60.

"I was pleased with the turnout," said event organizer Aaron Fulton. "It takes a lot of workers to make this event successful."

The Black Bear Run is sponsored by the Engadine Sports Boosters and Dewyse Construction.

Rachel Button of Farmington Hills won the women's 6k in 23:59.00. Curt Van of Sault Ste. Marie, won the men's 12k in 45:49.10. Julia Crocker of Norman, Oklahoma, won the women's 12k in 54:17.80. Brandyn Clemens, a junior student at Mackinaw City, finished third overall in the 6k. He is a member of the Comets cross country team. Sisters Ceci Twachtman of Houston, Texas, (left) and Sharon McGraw of Cincinnati, Ohio, competed in the 6k walk.