SVSEF Alum and XC Gold Team Member John Steel Hagenbuch Breaks Baldy Hill Climb Course Record
Eighteen kids tackle the Baldy Hill Climb’s KinderClimb for cookies
Runners and hikers from 10-81 years old showed up for the 47th Annual Baldy Hill Climb on Saturday in support of SVSEF’s Cross Country Program to battle the 1.86 miles and 3,140 vertical feet up Warm Springs to the summit of Bald Mountain at 9,150 feet. An 11-year men’s record fell to the effort of SVSEF Alum, Gold Team member and member of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team, John Steel Hagenbuch, finishing in a blistering time of 34:42.
“It was great to do the BHC for the first time in four years, and it unsurprisingly has not gotten any easier!” said Hagenbuch, New Baldy Hill Climb Record Holder. “It was a picture-perfect Sun Valley September day, and it was easy to push myself to the limit with such beautiful weather, an exceptionally well-run event, and such a fun atmosphere.”
Following tradition, the free-to-participate KinderClimb challenged kids under the age of 11 to tackle the lower section of Warm Springs before the start of the Baldy Hill Climb. The kiddos made their way up the steep 200-yard pitch where cookies were waiting, because ‘hiking for cookies is always a good idea!’ KinderClimb finishers also received a ribbon recognizing their strong achievement.
“Another beautiful Baldy Hill Climb in the books—241 competitors battled their way to the top,” said Kelley Yeates, Baldy Hill Climb Race Director and Assistant Director for the SVSEF Cross Country Program. “There is nothing quite like a September morning on top of Bald Mountain watching the Wood River Valley celebrate their love of ‘type 2 fun’. This year’s t-shirt captured the BHC perfectly with our 2025 tag line of “reliably uphill” and in our 47th year that’s exactly what it was!”
Thank you to all of the Baldy Hill Climb volunteers for their dedication and support to make the Baldy Hill Climb such a great experience for all participants. And to our sponsors and partners for their support: Sturtevants, Sun Valley Company, Proctor Mountain Group, Bigwood Golf, Atkinsons’ Market, Elephant’s Perch, Backwoods Mountain Sports, Salomon, Lizzy’s Fresh Coffee, Rossignol, Boulder Mountain Clayworks, Clear Creek Disposal, and the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation. We couldn’t do it without our volunteers, sponsors, and partners helping to pull everything together for event day every last Saturday of September.
Notable Finishes
SVSEF Alum and Cross Country Gold Team member John Steel Hagenbuch breaks the course record with a time of 34:42. The previous record of 35:04 was set by Miles Havlick in 2014.
Top 5 Overall Men:
- Johnny Hagenbuch – SVSEF Cross Country Gold Team (34:42) (NEW MEN’S RECORD)
- Will Koch – SVSEF Cross Country Gold Team (36:07.6)
- Simon Zink (36:57.8)
- Peter Wolter – SVSEF Cross Country Gold Team (37:10)
- Elijah Weening – SVSEF Cross Country Gold Team (37:28.1)
Top 5 Overall Women:
- Annika Landis – SVSEF Alum (49:59.1)
- Mia Case – SVSEF Cross Country Gold Team (53:02.5)
- Lili Hansen (55:11.9)
- Helen Wilson (56:28.1)
- Alison Burpee (56:58.2)
Family Team Winner: “GJ’s Van”
Eric Stumpner, Lili Hansen, and Mac Hansen
2025 Baldy Hill Climb KinderClimb Participants – Age
Clayton Young – 7
Ginny Young – 3
August Martin – 2
Aspen Martin – 6
Ivy Simons – 4
Wren Simons – 9
Wylder Wilson – 3
Ellie Yeates – 5
Finn Mallory – 7
Ava Boeger – 7
Wyatt Boeger – 5
Mae Boeger – 3
Blakeslee Tindall – 10
Gus Hopeman – 4
Davey Harlow – 3
Thomas – 2
Geri – 2
Cherie – 4
For complete event results, please visit: https://zone4.ca/event/2025/QY1YDL/