Run across the high bridge

Thompson Falls was booming on Saturday as people filled the streets for the Thompson Falls market, car show, chicken jamboree and the first annual Go Green Run.

Thompson Falls was booming on Saturday as people filled the streets for the Thompson Falls market, car show, chicken jamboree and the first annual Go Green Run.

Twenty-nine runners took off down Maiden Lane at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning for a 5K fun run. The run was entitled the Go Green Run in order to represent the 4-H organization. All of the money raised from the run goes towards 4-H. A number of kids signed on to participate in the run and to help out the 4-H organization. Nicole Ribeiro, who is a member of the Thompson Falls Mountaineers, enjoys running and wanted to participate in the run to help out 4-H even though she is not involved with 4-H herself. It was participants such as Ribeiro who helped make the run a success.

"It (the run) pays to send kids to camp, it helps pay for project books and send them to state congress. Some of them go to citizenship seminar and this money helps offset those costs," said run organizer and participant Sarah Naegeli.

The idea to hold a run came from various sources throughout the community. Naegeli said one of the kids in 4-H asked her why they don't have a run as it is an efficient and fun way to raise money and get people involved in the organization. Also, Katrina Campbell, co-owner of the Falls Motel and organizer of the Thompson Falls Market, ‘had a dream' to have a run during the market's hours on Saturday and have the run end at the market.

"I said to her (Cambpell) ‘you got your wish,'" said Naegeli.

The 5K run started at Maiden Lane, went over the newly finished High Bridge to Cherry Creek, then the route turned to Green Acres Ranch, a ranch owned by a 4-H family, before winding back towards the High Bridge and ultimately ending at the market, which takes place in an open lawn next to the Falls Motel.

Naegeli said part of the reason they wanted to implement a run for 4-H was because of the newly finished High Bridge, which was finally redone for walking and biking use this past spring.

"I heard a lot of good comments, so I guess we did ok," said Naegeli. "I liked the course a lot and it was nice because we got to go over the High Bridge, which we hadn't done before and the new part is really smooth."

Jacob Naegeli came in first place for the run with a time of 19:08. Shawn Helvey came in second place with a time of 19:53 followed closely by Tim Brooker who took third with a time of 20:18.

Renae Stettler came in first place for the women runners and ninth overall with a time of 23:29.