Monster Mash:Getting rid of those post-sugar blues

Erin Scott, Leader staff writer

This year's Monster Mash Fun Run saw many post-Halloween ghouls and goblins who were ready to compete, and others who just wanted a good stroll through the leaf-strewn streets of Polson.

The yearly event is organized by the Polson Elementary Parent Teacher Organization and the Cherry Valley and Linderman Parent Teacher Organizations, in an effort to help students in the Polson School District feel more connected. This year the Polson Business Community joined forces with the PEPTO and PTO organizations, and held their annual pumpkin painting contest award ceremony at the 7-year-old event.

The Turkey Trot was renamed the Monster Mash in 2004, and subsequently moved to Nov. 1 in order to extend the message of Red Ribbon Week, and keep trekkers from the bitter late November weather. It seems to have served its purpose, as several community members gathered Saturday to run off post-Halloween sugar highs.

Chair of The Monster Mash Committee and PEPTO member Lori Russell said the Mash helps bring the schools and community members together in a fun and healthy way.

"It's important that the community sees the good choices families make together," she said.

Catherine Young, PEPTO member and volunteer at Monster Mash, said her three children love the competitive aspect of the event.

"The entire world revolves around Monster Mash for them," she said, adding that they only wear costumes conducive to running.

Every child who participated in Saturday's Monster Mash received a ribbon, and prizes were awarded to the top three winners in each grade level.

Young said she wasn't sure how successful this year's Monster Mash would be at first because it was taking place on the same day as the Grizzly game. To her surprise, more than 207 people participated at the event, more than double last year's total.

All registration costs go toward participants' lunches and pre-registrants' T-shirts - which were designed this year by fourth grade student Xander Matt. No profits are made from the event.

Both Cherry Valley and Linderman Elementary School have walking programs that encourage fun competition and healthy lifestyles, according to Young. Cherry Valley and Linderman students walk one day a week around their tracks. At Linderman, the class who walks the most in a month gets a trophy, and both schools have prizes for top walkers.

The top three overall winners in the mile run were Matthew Ruensvold, Connor Young and Kristin Young. The top three male finisher under 18 were Jimmy Bjorge, Matthew Rensvold and Dylan McCrumb. The top three female finishers under 18 were Aja Starkey, Mesa Starkey and Erica Nunlist. The top the adult male finishers were Matt Seeley, Lane Seeley and Zach Seeley. The top adult female finishers were Heidi Strum, Jill Todd and Pam McCrumb.