The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area celebrated the mining history in Hope by holding the Mineshaft Grinder on Saturday at Palmer Creek Road.
The Mineshaft Grinder gave bikers one option and runners three options.
The lone bike race was the Gold Grinder, an uphill-only race that covered 11 miles and climbed 1,900 feet. Ben Arians won at 54 minutes, 36 seconds, while Morgan Aldridge was the first women’s racer and second overall at 1:01:03.
Runners could do the Gold Grinder, Silver Grinder or Quartz Grinder.
The Gold Grinder is a full marathon to the end of Palmer Creek Road and back. Zach Behney and Jen Novobilski were the lone entrants in this race, with Behney running 3:41:51 and Novobilski clocking 4:44:27.
The Silver Grinder is an out-and-back half marathon. Patrick Lewis won at 1:35:35, while Meredith Schwartz was the first women’s finisher and fourth overall at 1:54:53.
The Quartz Grinder is an 8.5-mile race to the top of the switchbacks on Palmer Creek Road and back down to Hope School. Kristie Cotroneo was the first finisher at 1:16:30, while Flip Foldager was the top men’s finisher and second overall at 1:17:04.
Complete results follow:
Gold Grinder Bike Race — 1. Ben Arians, 54:36; 2. Morgan Aldridge, 1:01:03; 3. Derek Ford, 1:04:32; 4. Alison Arians, 1:04:38; 5. Hans Personius, 1:08:38; 6. Hailey Stark, 1:10:42; 7. Landen Showalter, 1:13:06; 8. Marieke Heatwole, 1:13:40; 9. Scott Young, 1:13:51; 10. Dave Story, 1:13:51; 11. Adam Cross, 1:14:16; 12. Howard Levine, 1:14:24; 13. Matthew Blair, 1:14:53; 14. Annette Cartier, 1:17:50; 15. Jen Showalter, 1:17:57; 16. Lawrence Harmon, 1:18:12; 17. Lance Arnold, 1:19:12; 18. Peter Reckmeyer, 1:25:54; 19. Jonathan Kingsland, 1:26:31; 20. Dan Balmer, 1:35:04; 21. Jennifer Tabor, 1:35:17; 22. John Tabor, 1:49:30; 23. Bonnie Bailey, 2:24:00.
Gold Grinder Marathon Run — 1. Zach Behney, 3:41:51; 2. Jen Novobilski, 4:44:27.
Silver Grinder Half Marathon Run — 1. Patrick Lewis, 1:35:35; 2. Connor Macky, 1:41:18; 3. Ryan Marquis, 1:48:04; 4. Meredith Schwartz, 1:54:53; 5. Samantha Allen, 2:01:37; 6. Duke Ruzicka, 2:03:03; 7. Elizabeth Earl, 2:06:26; 8. BC Kindred, 2:06:29.
Quartz Grinder 8.5-mile Run — 1. Kristie Cotroneo, 1:16:30; 2. Flip Foldager, 1:17:04; 3. Jennifer Anderson, 1:19:06; 4. Patti Foldager, 1:20:09; 5. Stephanie Wright, 1:22:54; 6. Alexandra Post, 1:42:52; 7. Geneviere Shope, 1:58:01.
