The 19th anniversary of the HURL Elkhorn Endurance Runs were held earlier this month, with Eric Peitzch of Bozeman and Missoula's Emily Judd winning theor respective 50-mile races. The 50 kilometer competitions were won by Bozeman's Zanna Drobnik and Brian Fruit of Missoula.

The Elkhorn ultra runs were originated in 1989 by Jim and Bobbi Pomroy. Both races start and finish at Crystal Creek Campground. The courses are comprised of winding, steep trails through the Helena National Forest in the Elkhorn Mountains.

Forty contestants finished the 50K event, while 28 runners completed the 50-mile race.

Peitzsch, 29, clocked a time of 9 hours, 33 minutes, 29 seconds to capture the 50-mile victory. Local runner John Hallsten, 51, finished fourth overall while winning the Grand Masters (50-59) division. He came in at 10:48:12. "John nearly amputated two toes with a chain saw while clearing trail just six weeks prior to the race," wrote race director Steve Engebrecht. "He mentioned that he was glad his toes stopped the saw from ruining the soles of his shoes."

Other Helena area men completing the race were, in order; Les Mignery (seventh overall), Paul LaVigne (eighth overall, first in the 40-49 masters), Fred Roninson (20th overall), Rich DeSimone (21st) and Martin Miller (23rd).

In winning the ladies race in 10:53:02, Emily Judd, 26, came in fifth overall.

In the 50K, Zanna Drobnik, 30, outran everyone, including the men, breaking her own ladies open course record (from 2006) with a time of 5:41:13. Helena's Zoe Smith, 39, competed in her first ultra race and placed runner-up in the women's run and sixth overall. Rounding out the top local female finishers were Valerie Pallister (third in the womens open, 15th overall), Toni Broadbent (first in the grand masters), Tammi Engebrecht (first in masters), Kim McCarl (second in masters) and Kris Larson (third in masters, 34th overall).

Fruit's winning men's time was a new masters' course record of 5:44:52. Three Helena runners finished 3-4-5 overall, those being Thomas Baumeister, Alan Peura and Alan Wintersteen. The trio all finished under the old masters' record. Other locals competing were Greg DeWitt (11th overall), Scott Blume (27th), David Morey (35th) and Larry Platts (37th).

The elder statesman in the Elkhorn runs was 81-year old Bob Hayes of Evaro, Mont., who completed the 50K in 8:44:07, good enough for 28th overall. Ultra running is a sport more condusive to the older athletes, as the youngest participant was Gary Black of Colorado, at 22 years of age.

Reporter Curt Synness: 449-2150 or curt52s@bresnan.net