We Had Fun, and We Hope You Did, Too!
The 2016 Flagstaff Marathon was the best one we’ve had yet! The race was held on Saturday, September 17th at the Arizona Nordic Village, formerly known as the Flagstaff Nordic Center. The race directors and event coordinators have all come to a consensus that this year was the most fun we’ve ever had, and we have you to thank for that. Back in 2006, North Country launched the first full marathon for Flagstaff in nearly twenty years. The event has continued ever since, raising awareness and funds for the North Country HealthCare Foundation Angel Fund.
This year, 340 runners from all over the country enjoyed the perfect weather, beautiful scenery and a well-planned race course. Whether you’re running the 10K, half or full marathon, the event is known as having one of the most challenging courses in the country.
- The signature event, the full marathon, was won by Ian Torrence with a time of 3:14:17. Gary Krugger (3:29:10) and Ryan Nelson (3:35:20) came in second and third place, respectively.
- Rachelle Pizarro finished for the women’s win with a time 4:14:44. Michelle Saumur (4:42:36) and Brianna Grigsby (4:45:05) rounded out the top three women for the full marathon.
- Art Degraw took the lead in the men’s half marathon with a time of 1:17:11. Jeremy LaBuff (1:24:48) and Darren Burr (1:27:53) also had great times in the grueling half marathon.
- Emily Harrison finished first in the women’s half marathon with a time of 1:29:31. Siouxsie Owen (1:40:51) and Lauren Reasoner (1:43:05) posted great times to top off the women’s half marathon.
- The 10K race was won by Justin Singleton (45:05). Tom Viskocil (47:28) and Carson Davis (48:32) rounded out the top three men.
- Jean Marie Rieck led the women’s 10K with a time of 47:27. Holly Tsosie (51:27) and Melanie Zeese (53:29) finished the top three women in the 10K race.
Kids of all ages also enjoyed the days’ festivities with a 1K ‘Kid’s Kilo’, hosted by Girls on the Run of Northern Arizona.
Ann Roggenbuck, founder and former CEO of North Country, once said, “A marathon is a good fit for North Country’s mission to promote health and well-being. It takes hard work and endurance to run a marathon, just as it does to run a community health center.”
Proceeds from the event go to the North Country HealthCare Foundation Angel Fund to help provide quality healthcare to patients who are uninsured or underinsured. North Country HealthCare is a non-profit, federally qualified health center that provides access to affordable healthcare regardless of people’s ability to pay. With locations in 14 communities across northern Arizona, North Country offers medical, dental, behavioral health, on-site pharmacy, and urgent care services, depending on location.
North Country would like to thank its many volunteers, sponsors, supporters and race directors, Scott Bajer and Ludo Pierson, for helping put on another successful run. Next year’s marathon will be held on Saturday, September 16th, 2017. We hope to see everyone back next year!
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”1″ gal_title=”2016 Race Photos”]
