11 miles to Paradise

ST. REGIS – The rapid waters of the Clark Fork River, along with a cloudy cool day wasn’t enough to stop diehard runners from all over western Montana from taking part in an annual run. 

The fourth annual 11-Miles to Paradise run attracted at least 450 participants, according to Mike Foote, race coordinator. That is also the largest amount of runners to ever join. 

Some runners made the trip from as far as Portland, Ore. and Sandpoint, Idaho, according to the race results. 

The marathon, which is indeed 11 miles, started in St. Regis on the Clark Fork River Trail and ended in Sanders County. 

Participants were bussed from Quinn’s to the starting point, and then transported back from the ending point. 

Besides the hundreds who participated in the race, many friends and family members gathered around the finish line snapping pictures and yelling their congratulations.  

“It was the most beautiful trail you can run on,” said Kathryn Rogotzke, a participant from Missoula. “It keeps you engaged and it’s just a fast flowing run and well organized.” 

Rogotzke finished the race in 1:25:32.02, which was good for 50th place.

Following the run, some participants cooled their legs in the river water while snacking on cookies and talking to friends and other runners. Music was played over loud speakers as racers also gathered their clothes and belongings from numbered totes.

Sanders County Search and Rescue was on hand to patrol the river in case anyone was swept away at any time. The team raced their boats up and down the current of the water with great ease. Fortunately, their services weren’t needed. 

The trail takes runners through the forest and next to the river while climbing steep hills and flat terrain in some places. The end of the race tested the endurance of most participants, as they had to run through a rocky portion off the side of a mountain. Some lost their balance, but didn’t fall. 

Even though timed, runners participated in three tiers. Each tier started the race five minutes after the one before it. That ensured that racers wouldn’t stumble on each other on the narrow track. 

A blow-up inflatable blue arch greeted the finishers, and a computerized chip on each runner’s foot recorded their official time at the scoring table, which was printed and posted regularly. 

Overall standings were recorded, as were the standings in each tier. 

James Rucker of Whitefish finished first with a time of 1:05:37.54, and Gwen Florio from Missoula was the last to be recorded finishing at 4:15:33.02. 

Even though the race was over early for some, people were already looking forward to next year to tackle the trail again. A tentative date has been scheduled for May 17, 2015, according to the race website. 

“It was my first time and I thought it was awesome,” said Joe Zephyrs of Missoula. “I couldn’t ask for a better day weather-wise. I will definitely do it again next year.”