Rain or shine, the race will go on.
The 15th Annual Founder’s Peak2Peak Mountain Bike Classic took place in Thompsonville on Saturday.
Bikers of all ages pedaled around Crystal Mountain, climbing steep hills and navigating sharp turns in and out of the Betsie Valley Trail.
Coming back after a two-year break during the pandemic, race director Tad Peacock is simply happy to offer racers this opportunity once again.
“The energy is so much fun here, and you know, we don’t have as many people as we did in the past, but I think the momentum will build again,” Peacock said.
46 year-old Jim Keyes finished first overall in the Beginner’s division with a time of fifty-six minutes and fifty seconds.
This is his first ever time racing in the event.
“I’m a mountain bike coach for MiSCA, so my kids race, and we ride three days a week,” Keyes said. “The mountain bike community is just a great community and so much fun.”
Another first timer, 16 year-old Anabel Miller, placed first in the Sport Women’s 15-29 division, with a time of one hour, fifty-six minutes and thirty-four seconds.
“I’m pretty excited—I was excited to race because I hadn’t done this before and I was here with my team, so just fun to try out a new race that I’ve heard a ton of good things about,” Miller said.
Finishing right behind her in second place was her teammate, Madine Whitmer, with a time of one hour, fifty-seven minutes and eighteen seconds.
“It was a great race, I love this race so much,” Whitmer said. “I felt really, really good and it was definitely easier racing with friends as well.”
Miller also finished second overall in the Sport Female division, while Whitmer finished third.
All the proceeds from Founder’s Peak2Peak Mountain Bike Classic will go to benefit the non-profit Mrs. Mullen’s closet, the Benzie Central High School Robotics Club and the Crystal Nordic Ski Club.
You can view the full list of race results at .
© 2023 - 910 Media Group