{"id":19405,"date":"2017-09-17T23:20:26","date_gmt":"2017-09-18T05:20:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lastbestnews.com\/site\/?p=19405"},"modified":"2017-09-18T21:52:50","modified_gmt":"2017-09-19T03:52:50","slug":"cool-clear-morning-delights-montana-marathon-runners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/montana-mint.com\/lastbestnews\/2017\/09\/cool-clear-morning-delights-montana-marathon-runners\/","title":{"rendered":"Cool, clear morning delights Montana Marathon runners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t
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A lone runner in the 21st annual Montana Marathon appears to be floating as he makes an uphill climb on the Molt Road, heading east to Billings. Click on the arrow at top right for more photos.<\/p><\/div>

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Runners loaded up at 5:30 a.m. at the Senior High parking lot and unloaded at the Molt Community Center to await the start of their 7 a.m. event.<\/p><\/div>

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After disembarking from a bus bringing participants to the Molt Community Center, a runner catches some shuteye before 7 a.m. race time.<\/p><\/div>

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A veteran of the Montana Marathon describes the ups and downs of the course to several first-time runners.<\/p><\/div>

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A crescent moon and the brilliant planet Venus brightened up the eastern sky before sunrise in Molt.<\/p><\/div>

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Snacks, water and conversation are plentiful in the Molt Community Center before the Montana Marathon's 7 a.m. start Sunday.<\/p><\/div>

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Dozens of volunteers, including Dale Jennison of Billings, help make the Montana Marathon possible. He was one of several motorcyclists who provided security for runners from Molt through Billings to the finish line at Pioneer Park.<\/p><\/div>

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Runners and escort vehicles gather at the starting line in Molt for the start of the 21st annual Montana Marathon.<\/p><\/div>

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With light from the rising sun in their faces, runners break from the line to start their 26.2-mile trek to Billings. Some entrants were participating in relays and had considerably fewer miles to endure.<\/p><\/div>

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Jehremy Felig, a Billings Skyview coach and science teacher, leads a pack of runners early in the race. He held on to win the 21st annual Montana Marathon.<\/p><\/div>

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Smiles and signs greeted runners at the first water station on the Molt-to-Billings journey.<\/p><\/div>

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Marathon walkers enjoy the downhill slope into Echo Canyon on the way into Billings. The Winifred trio of Kristin Carlstrom (No. 70), Steph Knox ( 10) and Jamie Wickens (71) made the trip in 6 hours, 46 minutes. Their event had a 5 a.m. start.<\/p><\/div>

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Four runners from a West High relay team hear the cheers and finish the Montana Marathon together on Sunday.<\/p><\/div>

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Billings Skyview running coach Jehremy Felig catches his breath after his first-place finish in the 2017 Montana Marathon. His winning time was 2:57.53. Lauren Zent of Billings won the women's marathon in 3:34:39.<\/p><\/div>

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At the corner of Virginia Lane and Parkhill Drive, four dummers from Senior High add energy to runners' closing kicks at the end of the race at Pioneer Park.<\/p><\/div>

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Runners pick up the pace as they head down the final slope to the finish line in the Montana Marathon races Sunday. Race officials said 790 competitors took part in the races.<\/p><\/div>

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The encouraging finish-line sign from these race fans reads \"Pain Now, Beer Later. Go Gram!\"<\/p><\/div>

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The top overall finishers in the half marathon (male and female) pose for a post-race photo in Pioneer Park. Mary Owen (No. 415) won the race with Chelsea Dana not far behind. Owen clocked in at 1:21:55 and Dana was 1:22:26.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>