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Looking strong as she neared the finish line, Maggie Bowman, St. Louis Park, Minnesota, was the women’s winner of the Fisherman’s Picnic five-mile trail run. Staff photos Brian Larsen
After having to cancel the Fish Pic Trail Run last year because of Covid, we were unsure how big the field would be this year. About half of the Minnesota running races have been canceled again this year, and all of the rest have been much smaller than normal. Although registrations started slowly, they picked up momentum and we ended up with 157 registered, pretty close to average. Go Grand Marais! And the field was loaded. Shane Steele and his wife Emma Spoon of Grand Marais accomplished collegiate runners now in their early 30’s, had at least seven titles between them. Under 20 runners CJ Young and his sister Lindsey Young of Maple Grove have three titles in the last two years. 14-year-old Lizzy Harnell qualified for both the Minnesota State Track and Cross Country meets at Proctor. Michelle Volz was here representing the accomplished Volz running family from the Twin Cities that has claimed Fish Pic titles in the past. Plus, many other returnees, especially a number of families that return year after year. All of them made the 5-mile running race competitive at every age group. Our youngest runner, 13-year-old Tuuili Rova, reminded us the future is bright, while 75-year-old Denny Fitzpatrick showed you should never give up.
Wearing number 98, a smiling Chris Hegg legs it for the finish. Chris organized the race and then found enough energy to toe the line and race!
Emma brought along an All-American teammate from Luther College, Maggie Pierson Bowman. After running most of the race together, Maggie opened up a gap near the finish, winning in 33:58 to Emma’s 34:08. 2019 winner Lindsey was 3rd in 35:02. Lizzy finished 4th in 35:43, while Michelle rounded out the top 5 in 36:00. Anna Watson of Marina California and Bearskin Lake was 6th and commented afterward she first ran Fish Pic as a 4-year-old, 14 years ago. Coach April Wahlstom stayed in front of her recently graduated star Louise Ramberg, 38:47 to 40:22, and local 50-year-old Shanie Joynes, known more as a bike rider, won the 50-59 age group in 45:56.
Shane quickly separated from CJ in the men’s field, running an excellent 29:20 to CJ’s 31:24. Steve Metzger of Minneapolis was 3rd in 34:42, Jack Bartlam of Duluth was 4th in 35:43 and part time resident and native, 15-year-old Paavo Rova was 5th in 37:39. Other notable performances include many times competitor Lincoln Drury of Smyrna Georgia and Bearskin Lake 6th in 37:51, winning the 50-59 group, and former resident Baiers Heeren, 38:18 winning 40-49.
Shane Steels easily won this year’s race, leaving the field behind by more than two minutes.
Age Group winners in the run were:
19 and under Men
1. 31:24 CJ Young, Maple Grove
2. 35:43 Jack Bartlam, Duluth
3. 37:39 Paavo Rova, Duluth
19 and under Women
1. 35:02 Lindsay Young, Maple Grove
2. 35:43 Lizzy Harnell, Proctor
3. 37:20 Anna Watson, Marina, CA
20-29 Men
1. 34:42 Steven Metzmaker, Mpls
2. 40:29 Tom Baker, Mpls
20-29 Women
1. 33:58 Maggie Bowman, St Louis
Park
2. 46:29 Samantha Kurkowski,
Houghton, MI
3. 49:02 Danielle Hansen, Lutsen
30-39 Men
Braidy Powers wins the 5 mile walk race.
1. 29:20 Shane Steele, GM
2. 45:03 Adam Flynn, St Paul
3. 45:24 Kyle Blade, Lino Lakes
30-39 Women
1. 34:08 Emma Spoon, GM
2. 36:00 Michelle Volz, Cambridge,
MA
3. 38:47 April Wahlstrom, GM
40-49 Men
1. 38:18 Baiers Heeren, Duluth
2. 38:49 Jonathan Rova, Duluth
3. 42:48 Rob Wells, GM
40-49 Women
1. 38:36 Gretchen Brugman,
Truckee, CA
2. 43:09 Kendra Rupp, Carlton
3. 47:08 Brienne Moody, GM
50-59 Men
1. 37:51 Lincoln Durey, Smyrna, GA
2. 39:21 Fred Watson, Marina, CA
3. 39:55 Rich Martin, Lake Bluff IL
50-59 Women
1. 45:56 Shanie Joynes, GM
2. 46:30 Angie Robinson, GM
3. 49:27 Nancy Rova, Duluth
60+ Men
1. 38:29 Tom Peterson, Two Harbors
2. 43:24 Chris Hegg GM
3. 43:30 Mark Strand, Lakeland Shores
60+ Women
1. 53:23 Jodie Hirsch, Apple Valley
2. 56:22 Julie Flynn, Hugo
3. 59:26 Deborah Samskar-Dinielli,
Enumclaw, WA
In the very competitive 5-mile race walk, Braidy Powers out dueled Gary Mullen of Blaine and Will Loew-Blosser of Grand Marais 1:00:26 to 1:04:44 and 1:07:56. In the women’s competition, Deby Mullen of Blaine edged Anne Hegg, Grand Marais, and Adriane Durey of Smyrna 1:07:32 to 1:09:48 and 1:14:56. Those are all excellent race-walking times.
The very hilly 3/4 kids’ mile race was led by Bryce Servais of Minneapolis in 6:29, followed by 6:41 for Kannon Long of Dillon, Colorado and 6:54 by Toby Scanlon of Lutsen. For the girls, Brianna Monson of Grand Marais won in 7:47, followed closely by Selah and Aowyn Rupp of Carlton in 7:52 and 7:53.
Many generous donations by the merchants in Grand Marais help make this event a success and a major fund raiser for NSSRC trail maintenance and youth programs.
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