After days of rain and chilly temperatures, Saturday morning dawned bright and sunny and perfect for a run, and over 250 people showed up at the fairgrounds ready to do just that.

According to long-time race organizer Jim Cadnum, it was one of the best Kootenai River Runs he's seen.

“This is great,” he said, looking out over the packed field. “I can't remember when we had a better turnout.”

Runners were treated to eclectic marimba music on the fairgrounds pavilion, and before the run, they got a good warm up, led by Wanda Wilkerson of Step n' Strike Aerobics.

While on the course, runners, walkers and stroller pushers were entertained by several bands who set up along the way, including Aidden, The Epiphany and the Restorium Renegades.

Times over the two courses were good, too, with Mitch Skjeveland, 16, Bonners Ferry, blazing in with a time of 19.19 to win the 5K event.

Melody Braden, 20, Bonners Ferry, took the woman's title, coming in at 20.22. In the 10K, Jeremy Planto, 33, Moscow, had an excellent run, finishing well in front with a time of 37.13, and Candi Huscroft, 33, Creston, B.C., won the women's event with a time of 45:28.

Due to an error at the finish line, times for other finishers was not available at press time.

This year's Kootenai River Run was sponsored by Northwest Academy, which had nearly 40-students running in the race, and helping organize the event were run founder Jack Douglas, Carolyn Testa, Paul Bonnell, Justin Petty, Robert Hanover, Bob Parker and Dave Braden.

Thanks go out not only to the runners, but to the bands and groups who entertained, the volunteers who helped man water stations and worked the finish line, and to all the people who turned out to cheer the runners on.