The running season, if there officially is one, is in its final stretch in Northwest Montana, especially since crummy weather is expected to show up Wednesday and stay presumably until June.
Local runners have two final races this weekend, one for the more extreme and another for the 5K crowd (like me).
The 30th annual Le Grizz Ultramarathon starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday at Spotted Bear. The 50-miler, which organizers say is one of the oldest in the coutry, wraps around a forest road along Hungry Horse Reservoir. Registration closed on Sept. 24. Results can be found at www.cheetahherders.com.
Also on Saturday is the 2nd annual Run Through History 5K Run/Walk starting at 10 a.m. in downtown Kalispell. The race starts at the Museum at Central School and winds through Woodland Park, past Conrad Mansion and throughout residential neighborhoods. Registration is still open. You can register online here.
After that, Polson will be the closest place for races in the coming months, with two upcoming 5Ks. The 5th annual Live Locally 5K Run/Walk is on Oct. 22 and the 4th annual Turkey Trot is at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 24, Thanksgiving.
For complete race listings throughout the year in the state, visit www.runmt.com.