Henry DeArruda-Weaver, pedaling at the back of the front pack (smiling, wearing a backpack) competed well in the 39er. With registration topped out in the four mountain bike races, this year’s Lutsen 99er was a tremendous success. The rugged, hilly terrain draws mountain bike racers from all corners of the country and beyond. Sponsors include Lutsen Mountains, Visit Cook County, Life Time Fitness, and the Healthy Way of Life Company. On Sunday, the day after the “big” races, there was a series of races for kids ages 2 through 13. For the serious bicyclist, the Lutsen 99er race provided 50 qualifying spots to the legendary Century Link Leadville Trail 100 MTB. For the less serious riders, the 19er, 39er, 69er and 99er races proved to be plenty tough and a great experience.
Some 1,675 mountain bikers riding bikes of all shapes and sizes took to the starting line on Saturday, June 23 to compete in one of four rigorous mountain bike races which started and finished at Lutsen Mountains ski hill.
With cool weather and the course less muddy than other years, the times for the 99er, 69er, 39er and 19er, tended to be very fast.
99er—503 entries
Corey Stelljes, 37, from Madison, Wisconsin won the Lutsen 99er in 5:18:15, averaging 18.1 miles per hour.
Risa Hustad, 27, Minneapolis, won the women’s division with a time of 6:50:08.
Jim Joynes, 53, Grand Marais, was the top local finisher with a time of 6:14:35. Jim placed 36 overall and sixth in his age group. Thomas Wahlstrom, Grand Marais, age 37, finished right behind Jim in 6:14:55.
Shanie Joynes, 47, Jim’s wife, was the top local woman finisher, placing 14th in the women’s division and third in her age group with a time of 7:15:02.
Mark Barrett, Lutsen, 49, finished in 70th place with a time of 6:23:13.
Beau Larson, 27, Lutsen, placed 253, in 7:37:35. Micah Mellang, 30, Lutsen, placed 255, with a time of 7:37:36. Michael Larson, 60, Lutsen, placed 262, coming across the line in 7:40:27.
69er—291 entries
Ben Hey, 39, Minneapolis, won the 69er in 3:51:29, averaging 17.37 miles per hour.
Emily Nordahl, 27, Neenah, Wisconsin, was the first place woman finisher, crossing the line in 4:39:37.
The top local finisher was John Alt, 63, Grand Marais, who placed 45 in 4:48:48. Alt placed second in his age group. Max Wahlers, 56, Grand Marais, was the 111 finisher crossing the line in 5:32:41.
Billy Lane, 63, Tofte, placed 166, with a fine time of 5:57:36. Jonathan Hedstrom, 40, Grand Marais, placed 192 in 6:14:46.
39er—617 were entered into the race
Christopher Stindt, 32, LaCrosse, Wisconsin, placed first in the 39er, pedaling the distance in 2:30:23. Stindt averaged 17.95 miles per hour.
Heather Stelljea, 36, Madison, Wisconsin, placed first in the women’s division with a time of 2:50:57.
Lutsen’s Will Surbaugh, 16, placed third overall in the 39er with a great time of 2:30:47.
Henry DeArruda- Weaver, 15, Grand Marais, another fine up and coming mountain bike racer, placed 55th in 3:02:21.
Dellia Barrett, 14, Lutsen, placed 97, in 3:10:17. Jennifer Barrett, 48, Lutsen, finished first in her age group and 99th overall with a time of 3:10:39.
Woody Gilk, 31, Grand Marais, finished 110 in 3:12:51.
Dylan Dragswiek, 39, Grand Marais, placed 182, 3:25:27. Lynne Wiitala, 57, Tofte, placed 187 in 3:25:34.
Dave Demmer, 36, Grand Marais, placed 208 in 3:28:05. Steve Surbaugh, 46, Grand Marais, placed 214 with a time of 3:28:38.
Jonathan Rova, 45, Grand Marais, placed 222 in 3:30:55. John Mellang, 63, Lutsen, finished 260 in 3:36:36. Mollie O’Neill, 34, Lutsen, placed 345 in 3:49:44. Tim Kennedy, 68, Grand Marais, placed 361 in 3:52:50. Tom Rider, 57, Lutsen, placed 363, in 3:53:30.
Brea Boomer, Grand Portage, 25, finished 364, crossing the line in 3:53:34. Ailee Larson, Lutsen, placed 365, in 3:53:34. Phil Larson, 33, Lutsen, was the 367th finisher with a time of 3:53:35.
Ann Raiho, 28, Grand Marais, placed 368 in 3:53:50. Rae Lemke, 55, Grand Marais, was 375 in 3:54:55.
Lee Bergstrom, 57, Grand Marais, placed 401, in 4:00:30. Claire LaVigne, 17, Lutsen, was the 405 finisher in 4:01:10. Marshall Moy, 38, Grand Marais, placed 466 in 4:16:08.
Reilly Wahlers, 17, Grand Marais, placed 468 in 4:16:19. Andrew Price, 34, Grand Marais, was the 500th finisher in 4:25:55. Mary Hanson, 54, Lutsen, placed 502 in 4:27:33. Jeremy Hanson, 55, Lutsen, finished 503 in 4:27:36. Jeff Denniston, 63, Lutsen, was 512 in 4:31:50.
Jeff Stoddard, 49, Grand Marais, placed 530, in 4:36:13. Molly Hicken, 39, Lutsen, was 547, in 4:46:14. David Eckel, Grand Marais, placed 555 with a time of 4:49:16. Brad Tavernier, 32, Grand Marais placed 572 in 5:16:25. Ellen Seltz, Grand Marais, was 587 in 5:32:58. For a young rider Will Surbaugh (1563), had a great race in the 39er, and for an older gentleman Dave Eckel (1154) also had a great race in the 39er. Original 99er organizer Mike Larson said over 100 local volunteers “really embraced the race and made it a great event.” Riders came from more than 35 states and a half dozen countries to compete this year.
Andrew Beavers, 36, Lutsen, placed 603 in 5:57:11. Randy Wiitala, 60, Tofte, placed 608 in 6:14:36. Sarena Nelson, 33, Tofte, placed 608 in 6:20:03. Sarah Somnis, 32, placed 609, in 6:20:24.
19er— 264 entered
Justin Ratzlaff, 27, Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota, age 27, placed first in the 19er, 1:00:18, averaging 18.91 miles per hour.
McKenzie Radloff, 15, Duluth, was the top woman finisher in 1:07:48.
Tristan Surbaugh, 13, placed 66th in the 19er race with a time of 1:25:09.
Martina Mellang, 32, Lutsen, placed 116th in 1:36:19.
Jeff Latz, 65, Lutsen, placed 175th in 1:48:19.
Osaal Lien, 10, Lutsen, placed 249 in 2:23:21. Emily Breaker, 31, Lutsen, finished 250 in 2:23:23. Marina Montes De Oca, 33, Lutsen, placed 257, 2:53:59.
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