Top 10 Performances

Below is a list of all-time Governor’s Cup top performances, dating back to the first event in 1974. For nearly 50 years, Montanans and many others have celebrated fun and fitness through running and walking at the annual event in the Treasure State’s capital city. Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana and made possible by many other businesses and individuals in the Helena community, the Governor’s Cup remains unique in its composition of races designed for the young and old, elite and recreational.

Marathon

Men

  • Jim Hatcher, Helena, 2:20:35 (1982)
  • Jim Hatcher, Helena, 2:21:59 (1983)
  • Jim Hatcher, Helena, 2:22:00 (1984)
  • Matt Rothermel, Missoula, 2:22:36 (1986)
  • Matt Rothermel, Missoula, 2:24:07 (1985)
  • Matt Rothermel, Plains, 2:24:10 (1991)
  • Stan Zezotarski, Helena, 2:24:55 (1980)
  • Matt Rothermel, Bozeman, 2:25:21 (1989)
  • Jim Hatcher, Helena, 2:27:02 (1980)
  • Terry Ziegler, Billings, 2:27:32 (1976)
  • Masters: Dave Roberts, Helena, 2:33:42 (1991)

Women

  • Heather Lieberg, Helena, 2:45:59 (2013)
  • Heather Lieberg, Helena, 2:47:14 (2021)
  • Karen Sanford-Gall, Billings, 2:53:29 (1991)
  • Ann Danzer, Helena, 2:53:38 (1982)
  • Debbie Raunig, Missoula, 2:54:10 (1983)
  • Ann Danzer, Helena, 2:56:26 (1981)
  • Sarah Hallas, Santa Rosa, CA, 2:57:15 (2015)
  • Jennifer Tuthill, Bozeman, 2:58:34 (1980)
  • Heather Lieberg, Helena, 3:00:10 (2008)
  • Valor Hopes, Missoula, 3:00:20 (2002)
  • Masters: Priscilla Flesch-Birtic, Glendive, 3:12:44 (1992)

Half marathon

Men

  • Mark Messmer, Missoula, 1:07:48 (2019)
  • Mark Messmer, Missoula, 1:09:02 (2018)
  • Collin Fehr, Missoula, 1:10:08 (2015)
  • Orville Hess, Ennis, 1:10:45 (1978)
  • Jim Walmsley, Black Eagle, 1:10:48 (2014)
  • Carson Vickroy, Bozeman, 1:11:02 (2018)
  • Justin Easter, Bozeman, 1:11:33 (2005)
  • Jeb Myers, Browning, 1:11:53 (2005)
  • Micah Drew, Kalispell, 1:12:26 (2021)
  • Micah Drew, Kalispell, 1:12:39 (2022)
  • Masters: Tony Banovich, Billings, 1:16:00 (2004)

Women

  • Heather Lieberg, Helena, 1:17:25 (2014)
  • Heather Lieberg, Helena, 1:18:35 (2019)
  • Heather Lieberg, Helena, 1:20:29 (2012)
  • Trisha Drobeck, Missoula, 1:21:14 (2012)
  • Elizabeth Wasserman, Columbia Falls, 1:21:37 (2021)
  • Dani Salois-Shahan, Bozeman, 1:21:55 (2005)
  • Keely Baker, Great Falls, 1:21:58 (2018)
  • Keely West (Baker), Great Falls, 1:23:02 (2017)
  • Dani Salois-Shahan, Bozeman, 1:24:22 (2006)
  • Mary Owen, Billings, 1:24:37 (2018)
  • Masters: Kathy Aragon, Billings, 1:24:55 (2000)

10K

Men

  • David Morris, Eagle River, AK, 30:49 (1991)
  • Tom Raunig, Bozeman, 31:06 (1991)
  • Kirk Keller, Billings, 31:17 (1985)
  • Steve Bishop, Bozeman, 31:17 (1980)
  • Kirk Keller, Bozeman, 31:24 (1983)
  • Kirk Keller, Bozeman, 31:36 (1982)
  • Adam Herr, Bozeman, 32:12 (1994)
  • David Knoop, Salt Lake City, 32:15 (1988)
  • Steve Simpson, Missoula, 32:15 (1991)
  • Richard Lawson, 32:25 (1988)
  • Masters: Bob Boland, Great Falls, 34:14 (1997)

Women

  • Heather Lieberg, Helena, 35:24 (2015)
  • Nicole Hunt, Deer Lodge, 36:10 (2005)
  • Karen Sanford-Gall, Billings, 37:10 (1993)
  • Lauri Adams, Helena, 37:43 (1980)
  • Nicole Hunt, Deer Lodge, 37:45 (2006)
  • Debbie Magilke, Billings, 37:46 (1985)
  • Debbie Magilke, Billings, 37:50 (1986)
  • Heather Lieberg, Helena, 37:51 (2018)
  • Masters: Debbie Magilke, Billings, 38:10 (1990)
  • Emily Nay, Helena, 38:18 (2000)

5K

Men

  • Shannon Butler, Eureka, 14:47 (1988)
  • Jeff Clem, Bozeman, 14:49 (1983)
  • Doug Darko, Great Falls, 15:02 (1983)
  • Clint Morrison, Missoula, 15:08 (1992)
  • Dave Phelps Jr., Great Falls, 15:08 (1982)
  • Gerard Ostheimer, Bozeman, 15:11 (1991)
  • J. Secor, Glasgow, 15:15 (1982)
  • Bill Brist, Kalispell, 15:16 (1985)
  • Mike Houlihan, Bozeman, 15:16 (1981)
  • Steve Simpson, Helena, 15:19 (1987)
  • Master’s Record: Jim Hatcher, Helena, 16:34 (1991)

Women

  • Nicole Hunt, Deer Lodge, 17:11 (2003)
  • Nicole Hunt, Deer Lodge, 17:13 (2000)
  • Nicole Hunt, Bozeman, 17:19 (1998)
  • Sabrina Monro, Clancy, 17:28 (2001)
  • Heather Lieberg, Helena, 17:34 (2016)
  • Karen Sanford-Gall, Billings, 17:43 (1990)
  • Heather Lieberg, Helena, 17:45 (2017)
  • Tracy Clinch (Chisolm), Helena, 17:53 (1993)
  • Masters: Nicole Hunt, Deer Lodge, 18:01 (2010)
  • Debbie Magilke, Billings, 18:08 (1991)

20K (no longer contested)

Men

  • Tom Raunig, Bozeman, 1:01:33 (1989)
  • Doug Darko, Great Falls, 1:03:04 (1985)
  • Gian Starinieri, Canoga, CA, 1:04:17 (1983)
  • Doug Darko, Great Falls, 1:05:05 (1984)
  • Drake Dornfield, Billings, 1:05:19 (1979)
  • Dean Behrmann, Missoula, 1:05:52 (1979)
  • Scott Descheemaeker, Bozeman, 1:05:53 (1980)
  • Stan Zezotarski, Helena, 1:05:56 (1979)
  • Scott Descheemaeker, Bozeman, 1:05:55 (1981)
  • Tony Banovich, Billings, 1:06:21 (1992)
  • Masters: Louie Van Duzer, Columbia Falls, 1:11:00 (1998)

Women

  • Nicole Murray (Hunt), Bozeman, 1:16:00 (1997)
  • Ellen Markarewicz, Kansas City, MO, 1:16:14 (1983)
  • Karen Sanford-Gall, Billings, 1:16:30 (1996)
  • Cheryl Johnson, Helena, 1:16:42 (1981)
  • Rene Coppock, Billings, 1:17:26 (1995)
  • Jenny Tuthill, Bozeman, 1:17:50 (1981)
  • Mariah Teitsch, Bozeman, 1:18.03 (1986)
  • Ann Danzer, Helena, 1:18:37 (1985)
  • Bridgette Baker, Missoula, 1:18:38 (1980)
  • Becky Clairmont, Billings, 1:18:47 (1990)
  • Debbie Magilke, Billings, 1:18:47 (1988)
  • Masters: Priscilla Flesch-Birtic, Glendive, 1:26:09 (1991)