Summit Classic features a run legend

The Summit Classic, a 5k and 10k race for walkers, joggers and runners in Kalispell this weekend, boasts a big name in its 2015 field.

Bill Rodgers, an American running legend, will not only be providing coaches and runners with his story and a question-and-answer session today at The Summit Medical Fitness Center, he’ll also be participating in the 10k race on Saturday.

Rodgers is a four-time winner of both the Boston and New York City marathons, twice setting the American marathon record at Boston.

A participant in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Rodgers was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1999 and has continued to promote the sport he helped bring into the mainstream.

The top female and male finishers to beat the 67-year-old and former Olympian will receive prizes from The Summit at Home Pro Shop and Café.

Today at 11:30 a.m. Rodgers will be at The Summit, welcoming coaches to a free lunch and pick his brain about his journey as well as training and coaching strategies.

At 6 p.m. Rodgers will entertain local runners with tips to improve their running and racing.

Both sessions will be at The Summit conference room and are free to the public.

Late registration for the Summit Classic is still available on race day until 8:30 a.m.

There will be a free one-mile kids race for ages 12-and-under, starting at 9 a.m. Saturday.

The 5k and 10k races will follow.

Last year’s winners were: 5k — Nicole Brist, 21:46.1, and Travis Neuman, 17:49.2; and 10k — Kaitlin Wride, 44:26.5, and Brian Rhodes-Devey, 35:57.1.

The 2014 races had 229 participants, ages 2 to 84.