Hundreds of runners participate in Trail Rail Run
30K runners lined up at the starting post at Savenac during the Trail Rail Run on June 10. (Photo courtesy of Tyler Cheesman)
Two final 50 Mile runners receive a high-five as they cross the finish line at St. Regis Park during the Trail Rail Run on June 10. (Photo courtesy of Tyler Cheesman)
Over 300 hearty racers lined up at designated stations on the west-end of Mineral County to participate in the fifth annual Trail Rail Run. Event coordinator, Tyler Cheesman said the turnout was about 100 more runners than they had last year.
The race took place on June 10 and included a 50 Mile team relay, 50 Mile Hand Cyclist, individuals race lengths of 50 Mile, 50K, 30K, 12K and 5K. They began along the abandoned Northern Pacific Railroad and Milwaukee Railroad grades tracking from Mullan, Idaho and ending at the St. Regis Community Park.
The beginning of the 50-course followed the historic state line and then took runners over two historical train trestles and under two tunnels.
The final portions of the course paralleled and wove along the scenic St. Regis River. At the finish line, participates enjoyed music and refreshments. Tyler said the event took about 50 volunteers to do things like drive buses to the drop off points, be at the check points, put up signs, and helped out at the finish line, “we could have used another 50 if they would have been available. I appreciate all the volunteers who offer their time to make this event possible every year,” she said.
This was Cheesman’s first year as the director but has been a part of the Trail Rail Run since it began by founding supporter The Trail 103.3 Radio Station. She said she had worked closely with last year’s director, Sarah Rhodes. Rhodes and Jennifer Straugn, who was one of the first director’s, were a big help and answered questions Cheesman had putting together this year’s event. She also plans on continuing in the role as Director.
“I’m very fond of the event and enjoy meeting the amazing individuals who make their way across the finish line,” Cheesman said.
Runners for the 50 Mile race boarded buses at 5:15 a.m. with the race starting at 7 a.m. The final bus departure was at 8:30 a.m. for the 5K runners and that race started at 10 a.m. The racers started at different locations. The 50 Mile participants started at Mullan, Idaho; 50K started at Taft; 30K at Haugan/Savenac; 12K at Ward Creek Road; and 5K runners began at Two Mile.
The highest point of the run was at Lookout Pass with an elevation of 4,700 feet. Awards were presented to the top three place finishers in various age groups with male and female prizes for solo running events. Racers who participated in the 50-Mile race and registered by April 18 also received a jacket.
326 runners crossed the finish line with final results for the 50 Mile race were Madison Hart, 23, from Boulder, CO came in first place for females with a time of 7:25:11.45 and Gregory Liebl, 31, from Apple Valley, MN was the first male with a time of 6:36:28.97. Erin Phelps, 33, from Missoula came in female first in the 50K with a time of 4:33:54.15 and Missoula’s Matt Lautzenheiser, 40, came in male first with 4:15:10.04.
In the 30K, Catherine Redfern, 32, from Missoula was first with 2:33.03.25 and Dean Jordan, 54, from Hamilton was male first with 2:32:36.24. Natalie Clouse, 13, from Seattle, WA was first in the 12K with a time of 1:03:11.76 and Minot Maser, 48, was male first with 1:01:04.65. The Liberty Lake Rum Runners placed first in the 50 Mile Relay female category and Still Breathing was first in the male category. In the 5K, Tara Cannava, 51, from Seattle, WA placed first with 37:35.05 and Thomas Anderson, 14, from St. Regis placed first in the male category with 32:31.38. A full list of finishers is available online at Trailrailrun.com.