As her grandfather Jim Zunker stood by, Isabella Olson listened attentively as Shalom Richardson explained the twists and turns Isabella would encounter on the bike path she was about to ride at the bike rodeo. The path had instructors at each corner teaching the kids which hand to use when they signaled left or right. Isabella did a great job when she was pedaling through the course.
Bjorn Larson, 19, of Duluth was the overall winner of the 120-mile LeGrand du Nord bike race held Saturday, May 26. The race started near Coast Guard Point and finished at Voyageur Brewing.
Larson’s winning time was 6:48:47.
Jim Joynes, 53, was the top local finisher, placing 11 overall with a time of 7:36:44.
Shanie Joynes, 47, Jim’s better half, placed 1st for the women and 28 overall in 8:32:05.
Finishing in 12 place was Grand Marais mayor Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux, 35, who crossed the line in 7:40:27. Michael Kobeliski, 37, Grand Marais, placed 25 in 8:29:18. Three seconds back was Grand Marais’ Thomas Wahlstrom, 37, in 8:29:21.
Mike Larson, Lutsen, 60, took 55 in 9:50:07.
All told there were 93 riders entered in the 120-mile event.
66-mile race
Brian Koenman, age 50, Golden Valley, was the winner of the 66-mile gravel-grinding race with a time of 3:21:44.
Duluth’s Diana McFadden, 48, was the top female finisher with a time of 3:47:18.
The top local finisher was John Paxmeyer, 57, Grand Marais, who placed third in 3:21:57, only 13 seconds back of Koenman.
John Alt, 63, Grand Marais, finished 33 in 4:01:24. Max Wahlers, 56, Grand Marais, placed 48 in 4:11:52. Timothy Lederle, 56, Grand Marais, finished 51, crossing the line in 4:14:51.
Dellia Barrett, 14, Lutsen, placed 59 in 4:36:58. Mark Barrett, 49, and Jennifer Barrett, 48, placed 60 and 61 just seconds behind Dellia.
Bill Lane, Tofte, 63, placed 67 in 4:43:37. Steve Surbaugh, 46, Grand Marais, placed 86 in 4:50:25. Lynne Wiitala, 57, Tofte, was 87 in 4:50:38. Jonathan Hedstrom, 39, finished 95 in 4:54:35. Michael Garry, 48, Grand Marais, placed 111 in 5:11:43. Braidy Powers, 63, finished 115 in 5:13:20. Josh Rice, 43, Grand Marais, was the 120 finisher in 5:14: 52. Emily Breaker, 31, Lutsen, placed 121 in 5:14:54. Chad Benesh, 43, Grand Marais, finished 141 in 5:34:00. Jane Alexander, 58, Grand Marais, placed 148 in 5:42:40. Chris O’Brien, 61, Grand Marais, finished 149 in 5:42:40. Sheila Brown, 53, Grand Marais, placed 171 in 6:55:55. Randy Wiitala, 60, placed 178 in 7:39:09.
20-mile race
Will Surbaugh, 16, Grand Marais, took time away from the track to win the 20-mile race with a time of 1:07:11.
Kelly Erbach, 36, Duluth, was the top woman finisher and placed fourth overall in 1:21:16.
Jerry Wilkes, 75, Grand Marais, placed 14th in 1:36:37. Peter Jansen, 34, Grand Marais, finished 16th in 1:38:02. Dan Schuler, 41, Grand Marais placed 16th in 1:38:48. Micah Harju, 43, Grand Marais, placed 21st in 1:38:48. Anton Moody, 39, placed 23rd in 1:39:02 and Tyler Legarde, 40, Grand Marais was 24th in 1:39:10.
Alisa Berns, 40, Grand Marais, placed 43 in 2:19:42 and Brienne Moody, 36, Grand Marais, finished 43rd in 2:19:42. Ann Ward, 43, Grand Marais, finished 53rd in 3:24:04.
Leave a Reply