The Ninilchik Chamber of Commerce ran its first Clam Scramble Mud and Natural Obstacle course run Saturday.
The chamber wants to create an annual solstice event in a central location on the Kenai Peninsula for the whole family. Proceeds from the race go to Ninilchik Emergency Services.
The race, about three miles, went through two rivers, along the sandy and rocky beach line, over natural obstacles, through historical Ninilchik Village, across a bridge, up 120 stairs, and ended at Ninilchik View State Campground.
Mike Crawford was the men’s winner in 23 minutes, 2 seconds; while Riana Boonstra, Alex Bergholtz and Addison Gibson tied for the women’s win at 25:08.
The chamber also did the event to bring awareness to the plight of the razor clam. The past five years have seen a substantial decline in harvestable razor clams, sufficient enough for the state to close the beaches from Kenai to Homer to preserve the resource.
Clam Scramble 2015
Saturday in Ninilchik
MEN
6 to 12 — 1. Spencer Dahlman, 40 minutes, 22 seconds; 2. Landen Showalter, 43:55; 3. Hunter Kyncy, 44:40; 4. Ethan Baker, 44:40; 5. Keegan Baker, 44:41; 6. Tristen Reece, 53:22.
13 to 29 — 1. Morgan Jones, 24:21; 2. Silas Firth, 27:51; 3. Caleb Appelhanz, 28:28; 4. Jason Schollenberg, 29:00; 5. Levi Sutton, 29:01; 6. Nick Finley, 29:11; 7. Savaii Heaven, 34:44; 8. Hunter Reese, 35:08; 9. Jacob Daniels, 35:11; 10. Beau Caster, 43:10; 11. Robert McGinnis, 46:47; 12. Nate Snyder, 1:01:11.
30 to 55 — 1. Mike Crawford, 23:02 (overall men’s winner); 2. David Bear, 32:14; 3. Mike Tazzo, 33:03; 4. Aaron Gutzwiler, 33:27; 5. Matt Link, 34:18; 6. Michael Oliver, 37:10; 7. Loren Reese, 53:26.
56 and up — 1. Cecil Anowlic, 42:01; 2. John Baker, 45:17; 3. Bradley Beck, 45:16; 4. Tony Oliver, 48:17; 5. John Lindeman, 52:22.
WOMEN
6 to 12 — 1. Tania Boonstra, 38:09; 2. Jayna Boonstra, 40:18; 3. Ashley Dahlman, 40:18; 4. Riley Reese, 51:08.
13 to 29 — 1 (tie). Riana Boonstra, Alex Bergholtz, Addison Gibson, 25:08 (overall women’s winner); 4. Ithaca Bergholtz, 25:55; 5. Bree Mucha, 26:13; 6. Lea Schmidtbauer, 29:31; 7. Mackenzie Lindeman, 30:00; 8. Natalee Finley, Krista Sutton, 36:38; 10. Jennifer Swick, 43:07; 11. Bronwyn Saito, 43:14; 12. Morgan Johnson, 1:02:32; 13. Lexie Carlson, 1:02:34.
30 to 55 — 1. Jess Gutzwiler, 33:27; 2. Jen Gilbertson, 33:41; 3. Sarah Bollwitt, 33:55; 4. Tishe Link, 34:18; 5. Whitney Schollenberg, 35:30; 6. Laura Young, 36:11; 7. Sheila Best, 36:35; 8. Christine Bergholtz, 36:54; 9. Lanie Hughes, 38:17; 10. Jen Showalter, 43:56; 11. Felicia Baker, 44:39; 12. Gretchen Kraus, 48:17; 13. Lindsey Reese, 53:25; 14. Robin Dahlman, 1:00:37; 15. Celeste Kyncy, 1:43:00.
56 and up — 1. Delores Lindeman, 42:35.
Overall team winner — Team Bergholtz (Christine Bergholtz, Alex Bergholtz, Ithaca Bergholtz, Lea Schmidtbauer), 1:56:48.
