Running Fast and the Missoula Marathon

Runners looking for a PR or BQ usually pick flat, fast big events that have major airports and direct flights so they can train hard, get there, run, and get home. So here in Missoula we haven't been expecting hoards of professional and semi-professional runners to show up from elsewhere. However, as the Missoula Marathon has been taking root in our community, we've noticed that people seem to be getting faster. And running harder. And training more.

We've always been a pretty athletic bunch, but now that there's a marathon right here around which to wrap a goal, people have been stepping up big time. Local personal trainer Kiefer Hahn will be looking to run his sub 2:30 marathon this year and Jimmy Grant has been training hard so there's a competition worth watching between these two (who finished 1st and 2nd respectively in the marathon in 2009).

Last year we also had our first two sub 3-hour women marathon runners (one from our favorites -- the Marathon Maniacs -- and one from neighboring Spokane) and I bet we'll have more this year. We've been very fortunate that the Mountain West Track Club women have been here to set awesome times for the half marathon, and I believe that Casey Jermyn's time will go unmatched in the half for quite some time.

All this to say, the Missoula Marathon Committee's primary focus has been to make sure that when people come to the Missoula Marathon that -- faster or slower -- they have a great day. But it is fun to see people taking advantage of the event and we love it that we have such good competition in the full and half marathon events both from local participants and people who have chosen to come here from elsewhere to enjoy our event. So if you're extra fast and looking for some competition smack in the middle of the summer, you should find it here in Missoula on Sunday, July 11th!

Ashley and Sleep City Team Up to Sponsor Missoula Marathon Relay

The Missoula Marathon is proud to announce Ashley Furniture and Sleep City USA as the sponsors of the 2010 marathon relay. With Ashley and Sleep City as sponsors the relay category will receive a lot more support, including special shirts, signage and prizes! Relay teams are made up of four members with male, female and mixed team categories. Sign up today! Thank you Ashley Furniture and Sleep City!

Superfund(D) Run on April 17 will be Fun!

The 2nd annual Superfun(d) run is scheduled for Saturday, April 17th in Bonner. This race was very popular last year, so sign up soon (before April 9th which is the early registration deadline). This run is to welcome in spring and to celebrate the wonderful new trails in Bonner, and the removal of the Milltown Dam and clean up of the river. There will be a 5K and 10K run, and all runners will receive a funky bandana to commemorate the day. After the race, you can plan to hang around and eat lots of pancakes at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church which is the site of the run beginning and end. Runners Edge as well as local artists and restaurants have donated door prizes. Prizes will be given for both male and female in all age categories.

Envirocon and Washington Corporation are sponsoring the event to encourage local Bonner families and students to participate. Bonner families can run for $20 (no limit to the number of children). Bonner students can register for $5.
Registration is available online at Active.com or paper registration (in this newsletter, at Runner’s Edge and at www.runwildmissoula.org). RWM members receive a 10% discount.

For more info, contact Sue Furey at 546-6026. Or at tfurey@montana.com