The Black Fly Challenge set to start at Indian Lake. Photos by Pat Hendricks
The 18th Annual Black Fly Challenge bike race took 508 competitors from Indian Lake, through the Moose River Plains, to the finish line at Inlet’s Fern Park on Saturday, June 8th.
With 578 registered, it was the largest field of entrants the event organizers have ever seen.
Last year’s women’s champion, Ruth ‘Ruthless’ Sherman, of Spencer, NY held onto her title for 2013, finishing the race in two hours, seven minutes and 58 seconds.
The men’s 2013 champion was Alex Donahue, 36, of East Hampton, who finished the race in one hour, 57 minutes and 10 seconds.
A number of area residents competed in the race, including Chad Hiatt of Old Forge who placed 10th in the Cyclocross male 30 to 39 category. In the MTB Sport category for ages 30 to 39, Matthew Spring of Indian Lake placed ninth with a time of two hours, 38 minutes and 46 seconds.
In the MTB Beginners over 50 category, Bob Roche of Long Lake took second place with a time of just over three hours. John Mulcahy, also of Long Lake came in fifth place and Paul Quinn of Old Forge finished twelfth.
As for the ladies MTB Beginners category, seven area women placed in various age groups.
Sandy Tetreault of Old Forge won first place in the 40 to 49 category with a time of two hours, 48 minutes and 36 seconds. Placing sixth in the category was Lauren Beach of Old Forge.
Eagle Bay’s Amy Sauer took a seventh place finish in the female 30 to 39 category, and Susan Webster of Old Forge placed sixth in the over-50 category.
Following the race, crowds gathered in Fern Park to enjoy an afternoon of music by the Gwen Tracy Band and Octo Mom, and food and beverages at the event’s newest addition—a beer tent.
“Even though it was kind of misty, a lot of people still came, and stayed,” Inlet Information Officer Adele Burnett said.
Additional information on the race, including information on how to purchase a race jersey, may be found online at www.BlackFly
Challenge.com. Pictures of the race may be found at www
.PatHendricksPhotography.com.
