Run Wild Missoula April 2019 Newsletter

Running Wild | April 2019

Run Wild Missoula Executive Director: Don't Take It For Granted

People say it all the time, myself included - "Oh, we're so lucky to live in Montana!" And, it's undeniably true. Yet, at the same time, I think we can tend to take the Treasure State for granted. Perhaps we become inured to seeing the amazing flora, fauna and landscape each and every day.

I had reason to travel to and from Billings this past weekend - over two glorious days. I hadn't traveled that far east for some time; and, I was starkly reminded of what a beautiful and diverse drive it is. Incredible mountains including the Beartooth, Absoraka, Gallatin, Madison, Highland ranges and more.

The wildlife - oh, the wildlife. It was my own little Rocky Mountain Safari. Over the two days I saw elk, deer, antelope, turkeys, prairie dogs, coyotes, swans, eagles, geese, ducks and sandhill cranes. Snow capped peaks and dryland farms ready to sprout. Of course, the rivers can't be forgotten. I drove over and along the Clark Fork, Blackfoot, Jefferson, Madison, Gallatin, Boulder and Yellowstone.

The under-appreciated geology. The Eagle Sandstone rims near Billings; Boulder Batholith over Homestake Pass; the unique Stillwater Complex of the Beartooth Mountains and the Madison & Mission Limestone outcroppings all along the way.

So, what's the message here? As runners, walkers, bikers and outdoor enthusiasts, we're uniquely positioned to not have to be a passive observer of the landscape. We have the ability to actively insert ourselves into the environment. So, please take the time to find a way to get out into the great wide open and be sure to take a moment to appreciate how spectacular it is to be able to live, work and PLAY in Big Sky Country.

See you on the road, tracks, trails, mountains and meadows.

Tony

Member Spotlight: Kathy Heffernan

Where are you from? What brought you to Missoula?

I grew up in rural Virginia and Pennsylvania and came to Missoula for college in 1980.

Learn More About Kathy Here >>>

Kathy is one of our newest Trail Class Leaders - thanks Kathy!

Do you know someone from our Run Wild Missoula community that we should get to know better? Click Here to Nominate

Don't Forget About Trail Etiquette

Taking Care Of The Trails We Love

Spring has sprung. You can see the snow receding by the minute. The trails are beginning to clear. But, at least for a while, they are going to be soggy and sloppy. Which means they'll also be susceptible to erosion. So, let's take some special care of our trails for a little bit. As a little reminder and primer on good trail running practices and trail etiquette, we put together a guide that can be found by clicking HERE .

Spring Races at Run Wild Missoula

How are your tallies coming along for the 2019 Racemakers & Run Wilder challenges? Check out these spring races to add a few more to your list!

Run for the Trees 10K, 5K, & 1 Mile Fun Run: April 20

Join Run Wild Missoula and Missoula Parks & Recreation for the 27th annual Run for the Trees on Saturday, April 20th at Silver Park! We will celebrate Missoula's Urban Forest with a 10K, 5K, and 1 mile fun run for kids of all ages. All 10K and 5K participants will receive a speciality tea blend from Lake Missoula Tea Company, a tree sapling (courtesy the Good Food Store), chip timing, and more!

We can't think of a better way to spend a spring morning in Missoula than running and walking around our urban forest.

For more information and registration, Click Here

Sweathouse Half Marathon: May 11

Take advantage of the opportunity to leave the Missoula and head down the Bitterroot for low-key half marathon in Victor, while still receiving all the amenities of a Run Wild Missoula race! The course is a scenic, looping route on both dirt roads and blacktop. Runners and walkers are invited to enjoy the beauty of the Bitterroot Range on Saturday, May 11th. This is one of Run Wild Missoula's most scenic runs. The race is capped at 350 participants and is already one-third full!

For more information and registration, Click Here.

This is a cupless event. Participants will be provided with a HydraPak Speed Cup or have the option to use their own hydration device(s). By going cupless, we estimate that we might save almost 1,000 paper cups from being tossed in the landfill.

Can't make it on the 11th, but still want to participate and have it count towards your Racemaker and Run Wilder tally? Consider completing the Virtual Sweathouse Half Marathon.

Pengelly Double & Single Dips: June 1

Run Wild Missoula will kick off summer trail racing with this classic on Saturday, June 1st.

Although the coveted and challenging Double Dip has filled , there is still room on the waitlist ! Adding your name to the list is easy - simply login to your RunSignUp account and click "Join Wait List" for the Double Dip. The waitlist will close on Sunday, May 12th.

The Single Dip is probably the toughest first mile of a 10K - climbing your way up the M Trail to the Sentinel Fire Road. From there, it's smooth sailing with beautiful views of Missoula! This is a great event to try out trail racing; or, if you are looking for a more challenging 10K.

Of course, we can always use volunteers - they are truly who keep our races running every year! Please email our Race Director, Jamie , if you are interested in helping out on race day!

For more information and registration, Click Here

Ride the RWM Bloomsday Bus: May 5

Are you running or walking in Bloomsday this year and want to make it a day trip?? Skip the hotel reservation, the parking spots, and the exhausting drive home... let us arrange the trip for you! Ride the Run Wild Missoula Bloomsday Bus with us on Sunday, May 5, 2019!

Perks:

Snacks and coffee on the ride over
Delicious treats and cold beer on the ride home
RWM will pick up your bib and deliver it to you on race morning
Must register for the race and bus before April 16th
7 hours of driving you and your vehicle don't have to endure
Optional use of Central Spokane YMCA locker rooms
$3 per person
Paid directly to Central Spokane YMCA

Cost: $55

Run Wild Missoula members receive a $5 discount
Run Wild Missoula membership is not required
Limited to 40 riders
Race entry fee and YMCA locker room fee is not included in the cost of the Bloomsday Bus registration. You can register online for Bloomsday by clicking HERE - it's just $24.49!

Itinerary:

Board the bus between 5:00 - 5:20 a.m. at the Downtown Parking Garage, on Main Street;
Bus will depart downtown Missoula promptly at 5:30 a.m. MST;
Bus will arrive in downtown Spokane by 8:00 a.m. PST (race starts at 9:00 a.m. PST);
You'll be met on arrival by RWM staff who will deliver your race packet to you;
Riders participate in the 43rd Annual Bloomsday 12K;
Bus will leave downtown Spokane at 1:00 p.m. PST and arrive back in Missoula at approximately 5:30 - 5:45 p.m. MST

Click Here to Register for the Run Wild Missoula Bloomsday Bus

Click Here for the Bloomsday Run website

If you have questions or need further information, please email Ashley Cossairt

April BOP Social: April 27

BOP Social Heads East!

2:00 PM: Run or Walk (details coming soon)

3:00 PM: Social at the NEW Kettlehouse Bonner taproom - 605 Cold Smoke Lane off Hwy 200 East

Buy a beverage; bring a potluck snack to share.

Many thanks to Laurel Anders for hosting this month's event!

They're Back! We have replenished the supply of BOP Buffs. Free for newbies (available only at BOP socials.) $5.00 for anyone who has already received a free one.

Questions? Email BOP Leader, Pam Gardiner

Last Wednesday Beer Run: Great Burn Brewing

Last Wednesday Beer Run • April 24

Our April beer run will take place at Great Burn Brewery, 2230 McDonald Ave. Great Burn has some great tasting standards on tap, and usually a few experimental specialty beers as well. And the Just Barbeque food truck will be on hand to satisfy your post run appetite.

A 3 and 5 mile course will be offered. Our beer runs are open to everyone - Run Wild Missoula membership is not required. As outlined in our " Rules of the Run ," for safety reasons, we ask that dogs are not present during the Beer Run.

"5 Miles to Beer Thirty" - The monthly beer run is a casual fun run/walk open to all runners and all abilities. Each month a 3 and 5 mile route is offered at a different brewery location on the last Wednesday of the month, and at the end is a social gathering with libations and food. What could be a better way to end the month?

2019 RWM Club Miles

Spring has sprung! Have you been tracking your miles?? Here are the updated running statistics for our club through March 31, 2019:

So far, we have run 28,483.97 miles in 2019

As a club, we are averaging 316.49 miles per day

121 of our members have recorded some or all of their miles in our database

Are you feeling inspired to be part of the 1200/2000 Mile Club in 2019?? It's not too late! Simply log your miles throughout the year - this can be done daily, weekly, or monthly. At the end of the year, we will award the Mile Club members with a gift!

Find out more information about the 1200/2000 Mile Club by clicking here .