Largest turnout in the history of the event with estimated 180,000 attending

The 2007 Great Reno Balloon Race finished on a high note Sunday. With an estimated 180,000 spectators attending throughout the three days, event organizers agree it was the largest Balloon Race in the history of the event.

“The 2007 Great Reno Balloon Race was a true success,” said Marlene Olsen, Balloon Race managing director. “The pilots, the sponsors, the spectators, and even the weather contributed to a record year for the event.

For a total price purse of $20,000, this year’s Balloon Race pilots competed in two categories:

• Hare and Hound
First-place winner, Mark Johnson, of Cary, Ill. flew for Allstate Insurance.

Second-place winner, Joel Metcalf, of Bishop, Calif. flew for John Ascuaga’s Nugget.

Third-place winner, William Baker of Cary, Ill. flew for Flat Earth Garden of Dreams.

• On- Field Competition:
First-place winner, Dale Wong, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. flew for the Batjer Family.

Second-place winner, Joel Metcalf, of Bishop, Calif. flew for John Ascuaga’s Nugget.

Third-place winner, Greg Taggart, of Citrus Heights, Calif. flew for the University of Nevada, Reno.


For more information about the Great Reno Balloon Race, log on to www.renoballoon.com or call (775) 826-1181.