Bigfork run to help X-C program

Bigfork High School will hold a fundraising run on Aug. 14 to help keep the cross country program intact.

The Bigfork River Walk/Run is a 5K event that will start and finish at the high school.

Entry fees before Aug. 1 are $15 for 13-and-over and $10 for 12-and-under. After that date, the late registration fee is $20 and participants will not be guaranteed a T-shirt.

Registration on the day of the event will take place at 7:30 a.m. at the high school. The run begins at 8:30 a.m.

Individuals can register online at runmt.com.

The overall male and female winners will receive handcrafted Morley canoe paddles. Age group winners will receive ribbons.

Bigfork's cross country program was notified after last May's school board meeting that it would not be funded for the 2010-11 school year. The program has been funded every year since 2003.

"One of the reasons we got cut was because of numbers," Bigfork cross country coach Sue Loeffler said.

"Last year we had enough for a boys team, but only two girls."

Loeffler said although numbers have traditionally been low, the program has still managed to produce some outstanding runners.

Kayla Carlson, who finished fourth at Class B state cross country last year, has accepted a scholarship to run for the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., this fall.

Brooke Andrus, a Class B state champ, is currently competing at the University of Montana on scholarship.

Lauren and Leslie Dalton ran at Weber State University, and Kaci Calaway also ran at the University of Montana.

"We've had quality runners, just not a lot of them," Loeffler said.

"We're trying to build the program. We will extend it to middle school to get more kids interested."

Loeffler said the program, not counting a coaching salary, will need $2,635 to operate this fall. With a coach salary, that rises to $4,773.

"I don't care if I get paid," Loeffler said.

"I just want the program (to continue)."

Individuals or companies wishing to act as sponsors for the run/walk can do so for a fee of $100. Sponsor names will be put on the back of the run T-shirts.

"With sponsors so far, we've done pretty well," Loeffler said.

"We are sitting at $2,000, which isn't too bad."

But Loeffler said there are also expenses involved in hosting a walk/run.

"The town of Bigfork seems to be really excited about having it," she said of the 5K.

"We've had a lot of support."

For more information, call Loeffler 837-4126 or Jill Morley at 212-6760.