Runners hit the trail to Paradise

Almost a dozen runners from Sanders County took part in the annual 11 Miles to Paradise run over the weekend, joining hundreds of other runners for part of the 2019 Runner's Edge Trail Race Series. Although water covered parts of the trail, it ended up being a pleasant day considering the cool, wet weather leading up to Sunday's race.

The Runner's Edge, located in Missoula, sponsors the event which highlights the beauty of the Lolo National Forest trails in the Paradise/St. Regis area. They describe the course trail as one that "weaves and rolls through the forest next to the Clark Fork river while contouring along small drainages and hillsides."

Sanders County runners who tackled the trail's terrain include: Andrew Leichtnam of Hot Springs who finished with a time of 1 hour, 10 minutes, Dave Kirkwood (Plains, 2:03), Erin McCarthy (Plains, 2:01), Tracey Dean (Heron, 3:25), Louise Chandler (Heron, 2:37), Floyd Searl (Thompson Falls, 1:54), Sarah Naegeli (Trout Creek, 1:56), Sarah Stover (Thompson Falls. 1:50), Mike Lilly (Thompson Falls, 1:50) and Shana Neesvig (Trout Creek, 1:44).

With almost 600 participants, congestion impacts were considered. To limit vehicle congestions, shuttle services gathered runners from Quinn's Hot Springs Resort and delivered the crew to the starting point. Upon completion of the race at the Ferry Landing access site, runners hopped back on the shuttle in return to the resort where hot pools, lunch and a Bloody Mary and Caesar bar with a multitude of fixings awaited.

To limit impact on the resource, four starting waves of three-minute intervals were utilized, allowing runners the ability to remain on single-file trails while decreasing overcrowding. In addition, Runner's Edge has gone "cupless." Last year, they reported using over 20,000 cups. To decrease their footprint, all Runner's Edge runs are now free from cups, meaning runners are responsible for brining their own.

Sunday "was the fourth time for the fun," said four-time seasoned 11 Miles to Paradise runner Searl. "The course overall was in great shape in spite of all the rain," he said, sharing that the race was postponed last year due to flooding. This year, the course had a couple diversions due to water and was shortened by about 50 meters to adjust for flooding at the finish line.

The top male finisher was Jason Delaney from Polson, Montana with a time of 1:05. Nicole Murray (Whitehall, Montana) took female honors with a time of 1:18. Delaney placed third in the race last year and Murray placed second in 2018.