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Smith comes out on top of COMA Run in Copper Harbor

Jamie Glenn/Daily Mining Gazette David Smith checks his fitness tracker as he crosses the finish line first during the COMA Run Sunday in Copper Harbor

COPPER HARBOR — Surrounded by pines and rugged train, 56 participants met the challenge of 2018’s “Run the Keweenaw” that took place Sunday in the heart of Copper Harbor.

The main event, the 25K Carl Olson Memorial Adventure (COMA) Run saw a new set of shoes hit the finish line first as fifth-time Keweenaw runner David Smith of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, finished with an end time of 1:59.44.

“(There were) lots of places that were torturous,” said Smith. “Towards the end, there were a lot of ups and downs. There were a lot of places where you were kind of leaping from rock to rock. So that was pretty treacherous.”

Despite the challenge that the COMA Run brings, Smith said that each year he keeps coming back for a diverse, fun course.

“I really like that the director is just kind of mellow and a lot of fun,” he said. “The race is challenging and fun. I like having the different types of races throughout the weekend.”

Run the Keweenaw, now an all-weekend event, encompassed a 6K Baldy Hillclimb and the 10K Copper Harbor Trails challenge where Andy Liebner took first overall.

Mariana Grohowski of Hancock placed 33rd overall with a time of 3:25:04.4. Grohowski ran in all three events.

For Grohowski, the COMA Run is about more than just crossing the finish line.

“I absolutely look forward to this every single year,” she said. “I feel like I know this trail better now so I’m looking forward to just staying in the moment and just appreciating that the uphill will turn into a downhill.”

Also, she enjoys the surrounding landscape near the trails.

“I always try to take a moment to appreciate the view,” said Grohowski.

Top Finishers

6K Mt. Baldy HillClimb Top 5:

1. Andy Liebner 00:25:45.8 Men 30-39

2. David Smith 00:26:00.1. Men 50-59

3. Joel Coon 00:26:10.8 Men 40-49

4. Tom Smith 00:26:22.2 Men 20-29

5. Simon Carn 00:28:22.8 Men 40-49

10K Copper Harbor Trails Challenge

1. Andy Liebner 00:40:46.6 Men: 30-39

2. David Smith 00:41:08.2 Men: 50-59

3. Tom Smith 00:42:22.9 Men 20-29

4. Joel Coon 00:43:28:.0 Men: 40-49

5. Ben Tuomi 00:45:45.4 Men: 15-19

25k Carl Olson memorial Adventure Run:

1.David Smith 01:59:44.0 Men 50-59

2. Andy Liebner 02:01:32.9 Men 30-39

3. Tom Smith 02:24.28.9 Men 20-29

4. Simon Carn 02:11:10.2 Men

5. James Vendlinskki 02:18:11.0 Men 40-49

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