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Will Surbaugh
Rain. There was a 90 percent chance of rain, and it didn’t come, which was good news for 1,800 participants who rode in one of the four events hosted by Life Time (NYSE: LTH) on Saturday, June 25. As one finisher said, “I pedaled through some of the most scenic country this side of heaven.”
Another rider commented, “I thought the 49er course was difficult, rugged, but the scenery, how green everything was, was tremendous.” That was John from the Twin Cities. He was with a group of five riders that all felt the same way. They were riding for fun, not time, and all six said they would be back next year. Back and in better shape, added Paul, once an elite cyclist who had drifted away from the sport but who is coming back for the joy of riding and participating with friends.
As for the racecourses, they were altered because of numerous washouts and road construction. Some finishers felt this year’s racecourses were harder than in the past, but no one was complaining.
“This year’s event saw significant course changes due to mother nature that made the race more epic – and more challenging – than previous years, and our athletes were all in on it,” said Peter Spencer, Event Manager at Life Time. “The Lutsen 99er is special because the focus isn’t so much on the winners or finish times as it is on the adventure of the ride. It was another great year doing what we love, together.”
99er results
Six hundred and six riders entered the rugged 99er race and despite the lack of rain, the up and down terrain still had plenty of mud on the course, enough to challenge even the best rider.
Hard work and dedication are paying off for Will Surbaugh, 20, of Grand Marais, took third place in the Lutsen 99er race held Saturday, June 25. Will placed 9th last year and then spent much of the year training in Colorado where he is going to college. His progression in the sport has been terrific, which is great to see from Will.
The men’s division was won by John Bauer, 32, of Minneapolis who crossed the finish line with a time of 5:06:25. Brian Johnson, 38, of Omaha, Nebraska placed second with a time of 5:07:55.
Other local finishers include Frank Miller, 24, Grand Marais, who finished 24th with a time of 5:51. Jim Joynes, 60, Grand Marais/Duluth, finished in 60th place, crossing the finish line in 5:57:17. Jim was fourth in the 50-59 age group. Mark Barrett, 53, Lutsen, placed 258 in 7:05:15.
99er women’s division
Jenna Rinehart, 37, Mankato, Minnesota, wasn’t far behind the top men finishers. She won the women’s division with a time of 5:36:30. Elaina Griffiths, of Minneapolis, placed second in 6:06:11 and Dee Dee Winfield, 46, of Plymouth, Minnesota, finished in third with a time of 6:17:39.
Shanie Joynes, 51, Grand Marais/Duluth, placed second in the women’s 50-59 age group. Shanie finished with a time of 7:03:47 and placed 254rd.
Ailee Larsen, 29, Lutsen/Colorado, placed third in her age group with a time of 6:44:07. Ailee placed 183rd overall.
69er – women’s division:
Dellia Barrett, 18, of Victoria, Minn. with a time of 5:17:48
Chloe Leege, 18, of Iron River, Wis. with a time of 5:21:34
Ronnie LaJoie, 42, of Iron River, Wis. with a time of 5:30:28
Sara Taylor, 49, Lutsen, was the only local women finisher. Sara placed 225th in 8:25:38.
69er – men’s division:
Chase Sams, 18, of Duluth, Minn. with a time of 4:23:56
Casey LaJoie, 44, of Iron River, Wis. with a time of 4:30:59
Jonathan Toftoy, 41, of Eden Prairie, Minn. with a time of 4:33:15
Jay Decoux, 39, Grand Marais, placed 11th with a time of 4:52:17. Dylan Dragswiek, 43, placed 103rd with a time of 6:24:17. Max Wahlers, 60, Grand Marais, finished 121st in 6:38:01. Cory Pederson, 40, Grand Marais, placed 172nd with a time of 7:20:39. Joey Pederson (Corey’s twin) finished in 201st place with a time of 7:02:10.
There were 246 entrants in the 69er race.
49er – women’s division:
Chelsey Youngberg, 28, of Duluth, Minn. with a time of 3:47:56
Phoebe Leege, 14, of Iron River, Wis. with a time of 4:05:53
Dorothea Kramer, 16, of Duluth, Minn. with a time of 4:05:54
Mandi Joynes, Grand Marais/Duluth, placed fourth in the 20-29 age group. Mandi finished with a time 5:44:36. Kate Vernon, 35, Grand Marais, placed 46th, finishing in 4:08:33. Reilly Wahlers, 21, Grand Marais, placed 229th with a time of 5:16:48.
49er – men’s division:
Nate Schneider, 28, of Denver, Colo. with a time of 3:22:16
Rowan Hall, 16, of Lakeville, Minn. with a time of 3:25:14
Eric Ellingson, 39, of North Oaks, Minn. with a time of 3:34:40
Quinn McCloughan, 36, Grand Marais, led area men with 32nd place, crossing the finish line in 4:01:38. Wyatt Jeffers, 25, Lutsen, finished 144th with a time of 4:47:14. Patrick Pawlowski, 30, Grand Marais, 162, finished with a time of 4:51:30. Jonathan Hedstrom, 44, took 280th, crossing the finish line in 5:37:17. Mike Roth, 48, Grand Marais, placed 391 with a time of 6:223:24. Dave Eckel, 63, Grand Marais, placed 451, riding through the finish in 7:07:48.
There were 492 riders entered in the 49er race.
25er – women’s division:
Brooke Ailey, 18, of Thunder Bay, CAN. with a time of 2:08:55
Char Ailey, 15, of Thunder Bay, CAN. with a time of 2:16:47
Danica Barrett, 15, of Lutsen, Minn. with a time of 2:23:36
Danica Barrett led all are women finishers in the 25er. Martina Mellang, 36, Lutsen, placed 179, finishing with a time of 3:01:55.
25er – men’s division:
Steven Anderson, 27, of Thunder Bay, CAN. with a time of 1:59:25
Miles Lechtenberg, 14, of Sioux Falls, S.D. with a time of 2:00:07
Colten LaJoie, 15, of Iron River, Wis. with a time of 2:01:09
Micah Mellang, 34, formerly of Lutsen, placed 180 with a time of 3:01:56. Tim Miller, 58, Grand Marais, finished in 232 place with a time of 3:15:57. Jerry Wilkes, 79, Grand Marais, finished 334th with a time of 3:44:02.
There were 399 entrants in the 25er.
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