On your marks, get set, Fun Run!

By Ben Olson
Reader Staff

It’s time to lace up those running shoes and hit the trail—the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail, to be exact—for the 4th Annual Bay Trail Fun Run.

Located along the shores of Lake Pend Oreille and Sand Creek in Sandpoint, the Bay Trail Fun Run is both a competitive run and a family friendly run/walk.  Participants have their choice of either a 5K or 10K course and all races begin promptly at 9 a.m., Sunday, June 12 in front of Trinity at City Beach Restaurant.

And they’re off! Photo by Chris Bessler.

Hosted by the Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail, the Idaho Conservation League and Trinity at City Beach Restaurant, proceeds from the race will support efforts to protect, steward and extend the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail – a public, non-motorized trail, connecting the communities of Sandpoint and Ponderay.

The event is sponsored by a host of local businesses and individuals including the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Evergreen Realty, the Equinox Foundation, Sandpoint West Athletic Club and KPND Radio.

This year’s race again features professional chip timing, a professionally measured course, awards for top finishers in each and every age group, as well as great prizes for overall winners. All participants will receive this year’s race t-shirt and water bottle and other giveaways and will have the satisfaction of helping to protect a beautiful greenway along Lake Pend Oreille.

There will also be a Packet Pick-up Party on the eve of the event at the Idaho Pour Authority. From 4:30-7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 11, participants can pick up their t-shirt, race bib and freebies at the Idaho Pour Authority and enjoy a pre-race beverage while perusing and bidding on the silent auction items. Last minute registration will be available at both the Idaho Pour Authority and at the starting line at the day of the race. To insure your correct t-shirt size, participants are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.

Online registration for the Bay Trail Fun Run is available at www.pobtrail.org until June 11. Mail-in registration forms can found at various locations around North Idaho and must be received by June 6.  Registration is $25 until June 11 or $30 on race day. Kids 12 and under are free but must register.

Strollers are welcome to participate in the race but no dogs are allowed on the course from 8 – 11 a.m. Dogs are welcome on the trail at all other times.