POLSON — Ghosts and ghouls raced through the streets of Polson Saturday morning, and running beside them were bunnies and kittens and… superheroes? Participants in the annual Monster Mash Fun Run were encouraged to run in their Halloween costumes, an entertaining twist to the typical 5K experience.

“I think that’s one of the things that helps to draw in all the kids because they love to wear their costumes,” event organizer Lori Russell said. “Since it’s always been during Halloween weekend, it’s a Monster Mash-Halloween theme.”

This year, there were more monsters than ever mashing it up out there on the race course. Both the 1-mile and 5K races attracted around 150 finishers, many in costume, and many under the age of 13.

“In the 5K, there had to be at least 60 kids 13-or under,” Russell said. “Some even finished in the top 30.”

The event was created as an exciting conclusion to the Red Ribbon Week activities in Polson schools.

“All week long the kids are learning about saying no to alcohol and being drug free,” Russell said. “This is giving them an alternative and a way to make healthy choices.”

While it started in Linderman, it’s been growing each year, at first to include the other Polson schools, but now to include participation from runners up and down the valley.

“It’s been really nice in the last couple of years to have the turnout from the middle school and the high school as well,” she said. “As a school district we are very proud of how many of our kids and families want to take part in this race. Participation of this race has more than tripled in the past few years and that has everything to do with the support of faculty and staff from Cherry Valley on through to the high school.”

A “fun run,” not a “fundraiser,” the Monster Mash maintains a low-cost entry fee, student-designed monster-themed T-shirts and a post-race chili feed put on by the after school program each year. This year, they fed more than 300 people.

“The community comes out and encourages the kids,” Russell said. “We have one volunteer who gets her whole block out there cheering on the racers.”