Page 62 - Flathead Beacon // 4.8.15

62 | APRIL 8, 2015
OUTDOORS
FLATHEADBEACON.COM
CHOOSE YOUR OWN
ADVENTURE
A BREAKDOWN OF RACES IN THE FLATHEAD VALLEY THIS SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL | BY DILLON TABISH
TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS
APRIL 25
Over 5,000 competitors tackled the Spartan Sprint last year.
GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
minutes. Waves of 250 athletes will be released every 15 minutes across three groups (elite, morning, afternoon). Last year’s event drew over 5,000 competi- tors and 2,000 spectators to the Flat- head Lake Lodge near Bigfork. Beacon Running Club members receive a 40 percent discount.
SIGN UP: SPARTAN.COM
RUN FOR YOUR MAMA RACE, BIGFORK
This third family friendly event will be held at Bigfork High School and travel along the Swan River Nature Trail. This race consists of a quarter-mile kids race (6 and under), a half-mile mile kids race (7-12 years old) and a 5K walk/run. Pro- ceeds support Mothers of Preschoolers, a program designed to nurture moth- ers with children from infancy through kindergarten. Beacon Running Club members receive a discount.
SIGN UP: BIGFORKMOPS.COM
SUNBURST’S AMAZING RACE, KALISPELL
This inaugural event sends two-person teams through the community to solve puzzles and challenges. It begins in De- pot Park and is a fundraiser for the Sun- burst Crisis Intervention Fund.
SIGN UP: AT SUNBURST MENTAL HEALTH OR SUN- BURSTAMAZINGRACE.SPLASHTHAT.COM
BEACON RUNNING CLUB
OBSTACLE COURSE RACE, KALISPELL
MAY 2
The Beacon Running Club meets twice a week for group runs with people of all abilities. On Tuesdays, the group gath- ers at the Beacon office in downtown Kalispell at 5:30 p.m. On Thursdays, the group meets at a location in Whitefish at 6 p.m., with specific locations posted earlier that day on Facebook and the club’s website. The club’s goal is to con- nect the valley’s runners, walkers and other active residents. By joining the club, members receive discounts to sev- eral races. The club’s website is a one- stop source for information on upcom- ing races and events.
SIGN UP: FLATHEADBEACONRUNNINGCLUB.COM
A RUN THROUGH HISTORY, KALISPELL
In its sixth year, this fun, family friend- ly event in downtown features a 5K and 10K for runners, walkers and strollers. Team T-shirts or costumes are welcome and encouraged. The run begins at The Museum at Central School and travels through Woodland Park, past the Con- rad Museum and through the historic east side residential district. Beacon Running Club members receive a dis- count.
SIGN UP: DOWNTOWNKALISPELL.COM OR HTTPS:// RUNSIGNUP.COM/RACE/MT/KALISPELL/RUNTHROUGHHIS- TORY5K10K
The Kalispell Athletic Club is hosting its annual event featuring 23 obstacles over the 3-mile course. It includes just enough mud to make it a fun race for all levels and abilities. The race will test your strength, agility and endurance, and participants will embark in pairs every two minutes starting at 9 a.m. Participants can request start times. SIGN UP: KALISPELLATHLETICCLUB.NET
RENDEZVOUS FUN RUN, EUREKA
In conjunction with the annual festival in Eureka, this third annual race wraps through the Indian Springs Ranch Golf Course. Proceeds support the school’s cross country program.
SIGN UP: WELCOME2EUREKA.COM
MK5K & 1 MILE FUN RUN, KALISPELL
This annual event is a family friendly fun run through Lawrence Park. Pro- ceeds support Mary Kay Foundation. Beacon Running Club members receive a discount.
SIGN UP: MARYKAYFOUNDATION.ORG/
MAY 9-10
MAY 16
SPARTAN RACE, BIGFORK
APRIL 19
This year’s Spartan Race will be big-
ger than ever with two days of muddy, action-packed adventure. NBC Sports will be in attendance filming the elite men’s and women’s competition on Sun- day as well as talking with competitors who can share their best stories about obstacle racing. New this year, Saturday will feature the Spartan Beast, which is even more arduous and hardcore than the traditional Sprint. To conquer the Beast, competitors will tackle 12-14 miles of course and over 30 obstacles. The total elevation gain is 3,156 feet and organizers estimate the average finish time to be over five hours. On Sunday, competitors will brave the Spartan Sprint, which is back for a third year and will once again feature roughly 5 miles of single track trail, old roads and frequent bushwhacking, as well as over 20 obstacles. The average finish time
is 80 minutes and the fastest time is 35
APRIL 26
SUIT YOURSELF FUN RUN, KALISPELL
Dress to impress at this lively, fam-
ily friendly race to support the Glacier High School speech and debate pro- gram. The third annual event features a 5K and 10K for walkers, joggers or run- ners. It embarks from the west parking lot at the high school and winds through Kidsports Complex. Creative attire is encouraged. Create a team and compete for top awards.
SIGN UP: FACEBOOK.COM/SUITYOURSELFFUNRUN