Mother Nature tests runners at Dick Lytie Classic

By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor

GREEN BAY – Rain, sleet, snow, wind and slippery roads made situations troublesome for the greater than 200 runners at the forty second Annual Dick Lytie Classic March 19 in Green Bay.

The occasion – which consisted of a 3-mile, 15-kilometer and half marathon – started and ended at the Red Smith Okay-8 School on Sussex Road.

“Conditions were tough out there, but I’m happy with the turnout,” Race Director Jerry Feldhausen mentioned. “Runners are notorious for competing in difficult conditions.”

Proceeds of the occasion go towards the Green Bay Running Club’s Kid’s Running Program.

From the proceeds, the working membership funds scholarships to 2 highschool senior cross nation and/or monitor and discipline athletes.

The historical past of the occasion has a deep custom.

Lytie was an avid runner and run promoter within the Green Bay space within the early Seventies.

He owned and operated the primary working retailer within the Green Bay space, the Joggers Joynt, which was positioned on the east aspect of city on the nook of East Mason and Main streets.

Lytie helped arrange most of the native races by the shop and commenced Wednesday enjoyable runs at Ashwaubenon High School.

In 1981, Lytie organized the inaugural Dick Lytie Classic, a low-key however aggressive occasion.

“Today’s race was classic Dick Lytie style,” Feldhausen mentioned. “The weather wasn’t great, and it had lots of hills – just the way Dick liked it. Many of the hills used in today’s event were part of the original route.”

Feldhausen mentioned Lytie handed away of a coronary heart assault at the age of 59 at one of many Wednesday evening occasions at Ashwaubenon High School.

After Lytie died in 1996, the race was taken over by Deb and Mark Ernst, house owners of InCompetitors Sports.

Due to Deb’s passing shortly after the 2016 race, the official occasion wasn’t held in 2017, however a enjoyable run occurred to commemorate the race.

In 2018, the Green Bay Running Club introduced the occasion again.

“We hope it’s here for many more years,” Feldhausen mentioned. “Many racers put this event on their calendar at the start of spring.”

Among 71 starters within the 3-mile race, William Murphy (16:44) and Nicole Strutz (19:59) have been the general female and male winners, respectively.

Matt Kasten (54:16) and Trisha Ebel (1:11:08) took dwelling the 15-kilometer crowns amongst 55 starters.

In the half marathon, Nick Thomas received the male division (1:18:03), whereas Erin Moldenhauer received the feminine class (1:28:43).

Eighty-four runners began within the longest occasion of the day.

For the entire outcomes, go to xmtiming.com/outcomes.