Gaiser second in Swan Crest 100
Scott Gaiser of rural Kalispell was runner-up in the first 100-mile race in Montana, finishing the grueling run in just over 26 hours and being one of only 20 competitors to complete the challenge.
Gaiser, 48, began the Swan Crest 100 at 7:03 a.m. on Friday and finished at 9:24 a.m. Saturday, clocking 26 hours and 21 minutes.
Forty-four-year old Dan Barger of California won the race in 24 hours and 34 minutes.
A total of 44 competitors from as far away as Georgia and Alaska had signed up to attempt the state's first - and rather controversial - ultramarathon.
By mid-day Saturday, only 20 participants had crossed the Columbia Mountain finish line as the rest of the field had either dropped out or did not finish under the allotted time of 36 hours.
Eva Pastalkova of Virginia was the top female finisher. The 34-year-old came in fifth overall in 28 hours and 3 minutes.
Tim Marchant of St. Ignatius finished 20th in 35 hours and 39 minutes.
The Swan Crest 100 ran into controversy this spring after an environmental group, the Swan View Coalition, and its chairman Keith Hammer, claimed that the event was an improper activity on sensitive roadless lands that would have impacts on grizzly bears or result in possible conflicts with them.
After a lengthy back and forth, organizers of the run scaled back the event to a noncommercial group competition.
The race began in Swan lake and followed mostly single-track trails along the crest of the Swan Range into Columbia Falls.
Swan Crest 100
Overall Results
1. Dan Barger, Calif., 24:34; 2. Scott Gaiser, Mont., 26:21; 3. Justin Yates, Mont., 27:18; 4. Tom Stroh, Wash., 27:39; 5. Eva Pastalkova, Va., 28:03; 6. Jody Aslett, Idaho, 28:47; 7. Tom Hayes, Mont., 31:08; 8. John W. Hart, Mont., 31:18; 9. Jay Dobrowalski, Calif., 31:18; 10. Steve Ansell, Calif., 31:34; 11. Liz Bauer, 33:05; 12. Scott Brockmeier, Ga., 33:05; 13. Beat Jegerlehner, Calif., 34:23; 14. Marc Shomion, Mont., 34:39; 15. Brandon Lott, Wash., 34:48; 16. Jon Burg, Calif., 34:54; 17. Mark Heaphy, Mont., 34:56; 18. Doug Newton, Colo., 35:08; 19. Dennis Aslett, Idaho., 35:27; 20. Tim Marchant, Mont., 35:39