Whitefish Lake Run always draws a big field

Year after year, there was always one road race that local runner Bill Brist wouldn't miss for the world.

For 6.2 miles, the race traveled down East Lakeshore Drive with Whitefish Lake sitting alongside, and because of the caliber of competition, it was always fast.

These days, Brist isn't the only one who doesn't miss the annual Whitefish Lake Run, which has earned its reputation as one of the favorite races around for road runners of all ages and from all over.

On Saturday, more than 500 participants are signed up to run in the 32nd annual get-together, which is comprised of two races - a 5K (3.1 miles' and 10K (6.2 miles). Both events are set to start at 8 a.m., with the headquarters at City Beach in Whitefish. The 5K will begin and end at that location, while the 10K will require runners to be bused to the start line at 6:45 a.m. The finish line is at City Beach.

Registration remains open to males and females ages 8 and up until Friday evening. Those still wanting to register can do so at the Sportsman & Ski Haus in Whitefish.

"It's kinda that thing that the running community looks forward to every year," Brist said.

For the third year in a row, the 10K race will be the USA Track and Field Montana State Road Racing Championship. Last year, due to popular demand, the organizers brought back the old course which runs along East Lakeshore.

"There was kind of a call out for that old course that folks loved," Brist said.

"A lot of runners in Northwest Montana seem to like the (10K and 5K) courses," he added. "No matter how they run, they seem to come back, and that makes it fun."

Brist, who is the co-director for the event along with Dean Gianos, remembers being a high schooler battling in the 10K. Through college and beyond, Brist said it remained one of his favorite races for a number of reasons, namely the course itself and the people who show up to run on it.

"It was always a competitive event," Brist said. "But at the same time, it's a good recreational run for folks looking to enjoy a good Saturday morning run."

Regarding awards, the races are broken into 10 age groups, which makes for a separate competition within the main race. The top three in each age group will be awarded, along with the top five overall on both sides. Also, the top five in the Masters Division, runners ages 40 and up, will be awarded.

"We want to recognize as many people as we can," Brist said.

"They're all a little different and what they do may not seem fast compared to others, but compared to where they are in their age group, they're still competitive and award worthy."

The forecast for Saturday is sunny with a high of 83 degrees.

For more information on registration, or general questions regarding this year's races, visit Sportsman & Ski Haus in either Kalispell or Whitefish, or go to www.sportsmanskihaus.com.

T-shirt and race instructions can be picked up Friday at either store, or Saturday at City Beach.