Stout, Kowalke Blaze to Victory at Door County Half Marathon

Warm May temperatures made for fast finishes at the 16th Door County Half Marathon on Saturday, May 4.

Grayson Stout of Sheboygan came within striking distance of Tyler Sigl’s course record, finishing in 1:08:43, a 5:15 per mile pace. Sigl set the record of 1:07:56 in 2017. Stout, 29, also won the race in 2022. He finished 4:28 ahead of Payton Heinberg, 23, of Green Bay. John Hollister, 41, of Neenah, finished 3rd, and first in the Masters division (40+), where he set the new record for the Masters division at 1:15:09.

Caitlin Kowalke, 34, of Sherwood returned to the podium on the women’s side, finishing in 1:19:24 to defend her 2023 title. She now holds the top two women’s times recorded on the course. Brigid Brennan, 28, of Raleigh, North Carolina, recorded the fourth best time in course history at 1:22:02, and Maggie Priebe of Allouez finished third in 1:23:33.

Of the 1,600 people registered, 1303 runners finished the 13.1-mile course through the woods and over the hills of Peninsula State Park. The median finish time was 1:59:43 for men and 2:18:02 for women.

In the Nicolet Bay 5k, Scott Cayo led the pack with a time of 18:13. The 36 year-old from Brookfield topped Erik Joss, 41, of Chicago and Matthew Hutter, 44, of Prairie du Sac.

Liz Kanzleiter nearly caught Cayo. The 37 year-old from Suamico finished second overall in a time of 18:39 to pace the women. Lynn Fitzsimmons, 57, of Mequon finished second and Lucy Nelson, 11, of Waukesha finished third.

View complete race results here>>

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Door County Half Marathon Results

Male
1. Grayson Stout, 29, Sheboygan – 1:08:43
2. Payton Heinberg, 23, Green Bay – 1:13:11
3. John Hollister, 41, Neenah – 1:15:09

Female
1. Caitlin Kowalke, 34, Sherwood – 1:19:24
2. Brigid Brennan, 28, Raleigh, North Carolina – 1:22:02
3. Maggie Priebe, 32, Allouez – 1:23:33

Nicolet Bay 5k Results

Male
1. Scott Cayo, 36, Brookfield – 18:13
2. Erik Joss, 41, Chicago – 18:58
3. Matthew Hutter, 44, Prairie du Sac – 19:06

Female
1. Liz Kanzleiter, 37, Suamico – 18:39
2. Lynn Fitzsimmons, 57, Mequon – 22:09
3. Lucy Nelson, 11, Waukesha – 22:25

“Like running in a cathedral in the woods.”

Tom Held -Silent Sports magazine

“Once again you put on an awesome race. I have ran all 8 years, I saved all my shirts and this is a must run race. Thanks for all the effort.”

Carol Mulinex

“The Door County Half Marathon is my favorite race of the year, every year. I love it.”

Jes Borland

“All aspects of this event are first class…. The best scenery, most challenging course to be found. Great job Door County Half crew A+. See you in 2016.”

Scott Luchterhand

“I have run several races – and quite honestly this is the one of the best supported run ever. You do an EXCELLENT JOB on all levels. The support is amazing. The volunteers exceptional. I have ZERO complaints or suggestions.”

Sara Frizelle

“I have done a few half marathons around the midwest and this is by far the best. The organization and communication is fantastic and so are the facilities and race perks. The route is also ideal: starting flat, allowing for the body to acclimate ; followed by a steep incline and then down hill once the body gets a little fatigued. I love it!”

Margaret Pennoyer

“I’ve raced all over the world and The Door County Half Marathon is one of my favorites. It’s very well organized, it’s in the heart of beautiful and peaceful Door County, and the course rolls through some of the most picturesque half marathon miles in the world.”

Jenny Hadfield – Runner’s World

A must-do race! This popular destination race takes full advantage of the natural beauty of Door County, Wis.

Competitor Magazine