Running to Paradise: Local athletes compete in trail run
Mission Valley participants in the 11 Miles to Paradise run include Eleanor and Ed Vizcarra, Frank and Mary Ciez, Melissa and Rusty Weiser, and Carol and Mark Castor.
Eight Mission Valley athletes between the ages of 61 and 71 ran (or occasionally walked) the 11 Miles to Paradise Trail Run, held Sunday, Oct. 8.
Mark Castor of St. Ignatius took first in his age group.
“We all had a great time,” reports participant Rusty Weiser of Ronan.
The annual race starts 4.5 miles north of St. Regis and traverses 10.6 miles to Ferry Landing on the Clark Fork River. The route meanders through the Lolo National Forest on rolling single-track trail.
Participants picked up their packets at Quinn’s Hot Springs and were bussed from there to the starting line, and then back to Quinn’s for post-race food, drinks, and a soak in the hot pools. The race is capped at 750 people.
The Mission Valley crew amped up for the run with a high-carb meal the night before.
According to Weiser, members of the group are all avid walkers. To prepare for the event, "We walk with friends and get to visit – that's probably the best part."
In the past year, four of them have participated in four events, including the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, Missoula Half Marathon and Salish Kootenai College's 5k.
"We're really not in it for the competition," Weiser said. "What we're doing it for is a healthier lifestyle."