Trail Rail Run invades St. Regis

Runners from throughout the northwest participated in the first annual Trail Rail Run Saturday.

The race, which primarily took place in Mineral County, saw runners compete in everything from a 50-mile run starting in Mullan, Idaho to a 10K that began in St. Regis.

“We’re thrilled with how it went,” Race Organizer Jennifer Straughn said. “It was an amazingly beautiful day to begin with which made it great right from the beginning and everyone crossed the finish line.”

The Trail Rail Run saw 34 men and women compete in a 50-mile run that began in Mullan and followed old railroad grades from both the Northern Pacific and the Milwaukee Railroad.

“These wide railroad beds are dirt and gravel, and are never more than a two percent grade, making the Trail Rail Run a great alternative to road running,” the official website of the Trail Rail Run reads. “The running surface is forgiving, and the course won’t require the intensity of training that single track or steep and difficult inclines can demand.”

Beginning at 7 a.m. Montana time, the 50-mile run was won by George Erickson of Missoula and Carmel Abblitt of Post Falls.

A 50K race was also a part of the event and all 37 entrants were able to cross the finish line in St. Regis prior to the end time of 9 pm.

Out of the 63 finishers of the 30K race that began in Haugan, Straughn specifically mentioned 86-year-old Bob Hayes – who in the week prior to competing in the event ran a 50K in Big Horn.

On top of all of the racing action, family members of racers as well as community members had a variety of activities to participate in at the Summerfest at St. Regis Community Park – including a fun run for children and several live music performances.

“I know some of the families of the racers appreciated having the activities to participate in throughout the day,” Straughn said.

Registration for next year’s run, scheduled to take place June 21, is already open and Struaghn said the community involvement from Mineral County was “awesome.”

“The fact that they totally got behind it and helped make it awesome – everything from the West End ATV Club who helped work on the course to Stang’s who donated all of the water – it was really fun to work with everyone,” Straughn said.

Straughn also mentioned the work of the Superior Ranger District, who she said was “absolutely delightful and invaluable” in making the run a success.

“Mineral Community Hospital was also key in the event,” Straughn said. “Not only did they provide all of the medical support but they also sponsored the 10K.”

Those interested in registering for next year’s Trail Rail Run can visit trailrailrun.com.