Celebrating clean water, healthy salmon and healthy people, 67 runners and bikers from Anchorage to Soldotna to Homer turned out June 14 for the first Mouth to Mouth Wild Run & Ride.
Participants ran, fat biked or mountain biked 10 miles from the mouth of the Kenai River to the mouth of the Kasilof River along the beach at low tide. The event was sponsored by local nonprofits Cook Inletkeeper, Kenai Watershed Forum and Tsalteshi Trails Association and proceeds went to supporting clean water and healthy salmon in the Cook Inlet Watershed.
Derek Meier was the top men’s biker, finishing in 55 minutes, 22 seconds. Sarah Webster was the first place women’s biker with a time of 1:05.46.
The first runner to cross the Kasilof finish line was Trey Perry, topping the men’s foot race at 1:09.06. The first woman runner was Debbie Cropper at 1:24.09.
Cropper, who has run in more than 80 marathons, said the finish line was great.
“Those sandwiches rocked,” she said of post-race food provided by Odie’s Deli. Finishers were welcomed with a finish-line bonfire, beer courtesy of Kenai River Brewery and smore’s courtesy of Kasilof Mercantile. Kaladi’s coffee caffeinated racers at the start line, helping them make it all 10 miles down the beach to the finish.
Top finishers in each category received a $50 certificate to Beemun’s Bike & Ski Loft. Sportsman’s Warehouse sponsored prizes for the youngest participant, Dylan Hogue, and silliest salmon costume, Carmen Stephl and Paul Tornow.
RESULTS:
Mouth to Mouth Wild Run and Ride Results, Saturday, 10 miles:
Men’s bike — 1. Derek Meier, 55 minutes, 22 seconds; 2. David Finocchio, 55:42; 3. Richie Velez, 55:53; 4. Peter DiCarlo, 1:03.55; 5. Ben Gardner, 1:07.05; 6. Trevor Davis, 1:08.28; 7. Ed Schmitt, 1:16.56; 8. Brett Vadla, 1:22.44; 9. Tony Oliver, 1:24.01; 10. Bruce Vadla, 1:26.45; 11. Dexter Lowe, 1:27.22; 12. Jack Maryott, 1:35.24; 13. Jim Bennett, 1:38.14; 14. John Sanborn, 1:47.48; 15. Richard Winslow, 2:08.29; 16. Dylan Hogue, 2:27.49; 17. Paul Tornow, 2:28.11; 18. Tom Kobylarz, 3:22.40; 19. Zachary Brown, 3:26.26; 20. John Tabor, 3:31.56.
Women’s bike — 1. Sarah Webster, 1:05.46; 2. Elizabeth Lopez, 1:06.59; 3. Jennah Jones, 1:07.20; 4. Nicole Schmitt, 1:10.57; 5. Dana Cochran, 1:12.39; 6. Chelsea VanVickle, 1:24.27; 7. Catriona Lowe, 1:27.22; 8. Lisa Beranek, 1:34.06; 9. Mindee Morning, 1:36.21; 10. Carmen Stephl, 1:39.05; 11. Laura Sanborn, 1:47.48; 12. Kerri Schmitt, 1:50.28; 13. Joanna Watts, 2:05.30; 14. Katie Wales, 2:05.30; 15. Katelynn Best, 3:18.20; 16. Sheila Best, 3:18.20; 17. Teagen Kobylarz, 3:22.40; 18. Stephanie Kobylarz, 3:22.40; 19. Olivia Kobylarz, 3:22.40; 20. Emily Lints, 3:31.40.
Men’s run — 1. Trey Perry, 1:09.06; 2. Sean Goff, 1:19.10; 3. Kent Peterson, 1:20.17; 4. Scott Huff, 1:23.09; 5. Benjamin McGarry, 1:26.57; 6. Noah Perry, 1:27.49; 7. Carl Kincaid, 1:33.10; 8. Bill Taylor, 1:33.25; 9. Doug Hogue, 1:34.13; 10. Mike Salzetti, 1:42.35.
Women’s run — 1. Debbie Cropper, 1:24.09; 2. Heather Moon, 1:28.00; 3. Emilie Marshall, 1:33.59; 4. Emily Werner, 1:36.29; 5. Kara Johnston, 1:36.40; 6. Susan Craig, 1:38.36; 7. Amy Ware, 1:48.27; 8. Rachel Sjodin, 1:48.27; 9. Alice Anderson, 1:50.27; 10. Giuliana Houchin, 1:54.46; 11. Stephanie Reynolds, 1:55.14; 12. Brianne Steed, 1:55.17; 13. Lindsey Wilson, 1:55.17; 14. Melissa Tafoya, 1:57.03; 15. Johanna Alvarez, 2:00.08; 16. Kimberly Tornow, 2:00.14; 17. Cindy Detrow, 2:00.14.
