16. CHOTEAU Grizzly Marathon Aug09

PEACEFUL Choteau, Montana Population about 2000, not counting grizzlies. There are definitely no traffic problems here! I'm not sure there is even a traffic light! But it is a really progressive community! Obviously - they hold an annual marathon that this year brought in around 450 runners from all over the country. They even located a really ferocious grizzly to add to the fun! Seems he had a friend with a camera. We ran from town out some thirteen miles, then turned around and ran the same route back again. It was nice to see the elite runners coming back as we were basically just getting warmed up. We were also encouraged by seeing that we were ahead of at least a couple other runners!

There was an early start (5am) for those needing extra time to make it back before the roads were opened back up to the public at noon. Stephanie was suffering from a sore hip, and I had stupidly put my back out the previous day playing hockey with the grandkids, but we were determined to do this marathon so we decided to start early and walk it.
In the mean time, the kids all won medals by doing the 5 K. A couple of them got bit by the running bug and seem determined to run again. We know what that leads to!


We made it to the finish line in only 7 hours and 47 minutes, a bit sore but not really hurting, and got these really neat medals! I came in first in my age group 70 to 74! Of course that's easy to do when you're the ONLY one in the age group!

When we arrived the day before the run, we were greeted by a community Farmer's Market with a few produce and handicraft stands, including one put on by a local Hutterite Colony. There was also a little bluegrass band entertaining with some good ol' country music. Great reminder of the good old days of my rural upbringing!