The “trail less traveled” was well traveled with runners in the Ham Run Half Marathon on Sunday, May 6. Above left: Cool as a cucumber, Jerry Erickson of Duluth comes across the finish line in first place in the Ham Run 5K in 22:30.5. Above right: Michelle Aysta of Hermantown was all smiles and gave the crowd a big wave as she crossed the line in first place for women in the Ham Run 5K with a time of 26:17.9.
The temperature was in the upper 40s with light rain falling near the end of the fifth annual Ham Run at the end of the Gunflint Trail on Sunday, May 6, 2012. Half marathon participants followed a winding, hilly course from Gunflint Pines Resort & Campground to Tip of the Trail Campground. For runners, these weather conditions were not too bad.
Seventy-five runners ranging in age from 9 to 77 finished the 5K race held ahead of the half marathon. One hundred thirty runners ranging in age from 15 to 65 finished the half marathon. The Cook County High School and Middle School track team ran the 5K as exhibition (non-competing) participants.
Thirty-six runners gave a Cook County address as their place of residence, and numerous others who lived here formerly or have strong family ties here participated in the event as well.
Thirty-three finishers came from Thunder Bay and Kakabeka Falls, Ontario. Others from outside Minnesota came from Superior, Grand View, Danbury, Poplar, Webster, Mason, and Stevens Point, Wisconsin; Hancock, Michigan; South Amana, Iowa; Chicago, Illinois; St. Louis, Missouri; Tallahassee, Florida; Lafayette and Denver, Colorado; North Las Vegas, Nevada; and Issaquan and Federal Way, Washington.
Local runner Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux has been among the top few runners in the past Ham Run Half Marathons, but this year he bested the field with a fine winning time of 1:22:46.
Ashley Lykins of Duluth looked comfortable (and warm) winning the women’s Ham Run Half Marathon in 1:32:18.5.
The Cook County High School and Middle Schools kids’ places didn’t count because they ran the race for practice as an exhibition. (L-R) Joey Chmelik finished 1st in the 5K in 19:58.6. Ben Seaton, hot on Chmelik’s heels, finished 2nd in 20:08.9 in the 5K. Audrey Summers was the first female finisher in 24:08.5. Reilly Wahlers was the 2nd overall female finisher in 25:42.
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