Fun run scheduled during annual Huckleberry Festival

TROUT CREEK - The 36th Annual Huckleberry Run 5K will take place this Saturday in Trout Creek.  According to Race Director Tony Banovich, the race will start at 8:30 a.m. sharp; and, the race and awards will be completed in time for runners and their families to still catch the Huckleberry Festival pancake feed, parade and crafts fair.  Race day registration will take place from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Registration, the race finish and awards presentation all take place at the Trout Creek Motel.

“The 5K is a fantastic way to start the morning and to get geared up for a great day of fun at the Huckleberry Festival” Banovich said. “We expect around 175 runners from Montana, Idaho, Washington and as far away as Texas.  We always see lots of families participate who come to Trout Creek for the festival.”

The race is conducted by the Clark Fork Valley Running Club, with race proceeds going to a couple of worthy causes.  

“Beyond being able to start the day with a healthy, active event, the run is a great way to give back to the Sanders County community” Banovich said. “Part of our event proceeds go to the Hot Springs, Plains and Thompson Falls high school cross country programs. All of these programs are partially or wholly self-funded; and, these dollars allow the schools to continue to provide these extracurricular activities for their student-athletes. In addition, since 2009, the Clark Fork Valley Running Club has distributed $4,500 in scholarships to Sanders County student-athletes. In 2014, we awarded $250 scholarships to Mariah Naegeli of Thompson Falls and Amanda Woods of Hot Springs.”

If runners have questions leading up to race day, they can contact Banovich at 826-6109.