By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
GREEN BAY – Rain, sleet, snow, wind and slippery roads made conditions difficult for the more than 200 runners at the 42nd Annual Dick Lytie Classic March 19 in Green Bay.
The event – which consisted of a 3-mile, 15-kilometer and half marathon – began and ended at the Red Smith K-8 School on Sussex Road.
“Conditions were tough out there, but I’m happy with the turnout,” Race Director Jerry Feldhausen said. “Runners are notorious for competing in difficult conditions.”
Proceeds of the event go toward the Green Bay Running Club’s Kid’s Running Program.
From the proceeds, the running club funds scholarships to two high school senior cross country and/or track and field athletes.
The history of the event has a deep tradition.
Lytie was an avid runner and run promoter in the Green Bay area in the early 1970s.
He owned and operated the first running store in the Green Bay area, the Joggers Joynt, which was located on the east side of town on the corner of East Mason and Main streets.
Lytie helped organize many of the local races through the store and began Wednesday fun runs at Ashwaubenon High School.
In 1981, Lytie organized the inaugural Dick Lytie Classic, a low-key but competitive event.
“Today’s race was classic Dick Lytie style,” Feldhausen said. “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 said Lytie passed away of a heart attack at the age of 59 at one of the Wednesday night events at Ashwaubenon High School.
After Lytie died in 1996, the race was taken over by Deb and Mark Ernst, owners of InCompetition Sports.
Due to Deb’s passing shortly after the 2016 race, the official event wasn’t held in 2017, but a fun run occurred to commemorate the race.
In 2018, the Green Bay Running Club brought the event back.
“We hope it’s here for many more years,” Feldhausen said. “Many racers put this event on their calendar at the start of spring.”
Among 71 starters in the 3-mile race, William Murphy (16:44) and Nicole Strutz (19:59) were the overall male and female winners, respectively.
Matt Kasten (54:16) and Trisha Ebel (1:11:08) took home the 15-kilometer crowns among 55 starters.
In the half marathon, Nick Thomas won the male division (1:18:03), while Erin Moldenhauer won the female category (1:28:43).
Eighty-four runners started in the longest event of the day.
For the complete results, visit xmtiming.com/results.