Le Grizz foot race moves to North Fork

The Cheetah Herders Athletic Club announced Jan. 22 that it had reached an agreement with Polebridge Mercantile & Bakery to transfer management of the Le Grizz 50 Mile Ultramarathon foot race to the North Fork.

Polebridge Mercantile owner Will Hammerquist and friend Heather Cauffman will be the new race directors. Hammerquist plans to move the event from its past venue along Hungry Horse Reservoir to the North Fork.

Cauffman said the plan is to maintain the spirit of the event, even though the venue has changed. Race organizers also are considering adding a shorter race to the event. She recently was the director of the 24 Hours of the Flathead mountain bike race.

The Le Grizz was held on a provisional course in the North Fork in 2013 after a government shutdown invalidated the event’s Forest Service permit along the reservoir.

The North Fork race was well received by runners and support staff because it started and ended at the Polebridge Merc, with runners running up and back down the North Fork Road, which is owned by the county. The Hungry Horse route requires a long shuttle nearly to the end of the reservoir.

The Cheetah Herders first held the Le Grizz race in 1982 and has seen the event grow in 33 years from 19 runners to more than 100.

The Le Grizz was Montana’s first ultramarathon, and worldwide only two other 50-mile runs have been continuously held longer. It now attracts runners from around the world and has benefited local businesses and charitable groups.

The club’s officers, Lynn Carey and Pat Caffrey, say they want to see the event continue indefinitely and are satisfied the Polebridge Merc will take the event in new and positive directions while continuing traditions that have been well received in the ultrarunning community.

“The Polebridge Mercantile is excited to have the opportunity to carry forward the long tradition of the Le Grizz adventure,” Hammerquist said. “We look forward to seeing many new and old faces in October 2015.”

Caffrey, the past race director, said he will assist in event transition through 2016 and intends to remain involved in the event for the foreseeable future.