Right before the Timber Days festivities kicked off, 139 runners and walkers converged on Priest River Park for the 40th annual Run for the Berries fun runs, held in Priest River on July 27.

Runners ranging from 4-years-old to 84-years-old looped around the Priest River Park, then out to Merritt Bridge for all three of the distances — the mile, 5K and 8K — yet the longer races took more loops around the area.

Jason Moyer, 33, was the winner of the 5K, which was the distance with the most entries; his 17:34.50 was over a minute faster than the next finisher. Rising Priest River Lamanna High School senior Izzie Schmidt ran the fastest women’s 5K time with a 24:12, which was also good for 10th overall.

In the 8K, 18-year-old Sam Gorton won the race with a 33:39.70, while 27-year-old Calli Edgmond was second overall and the fastest female 8K runner by nearly 10 minutes.

The mile, however, was nearly swept by the kids.

Leading the way was 13-year-old Landon Baker had the fastest overall time with a 7:33.40, while 12-year-old Allie McKenna was the fastest female with an 8:24.50. McKenna’s time was good for fourth overall.

All in all, seven of the top 10 finishers were 13-years-old and younger — including two 8-year-olds and two nine-year-olds whom broke 10 minutes.

Part of Priest River’s annual Timber Days festivities, Run for the Berries is a fundraiser for both the Priest River Lamanna High School boosters’ youth scholarship fund and the Spartans’ cross-country program. The cross-country program put on the event, and several current Spartan runners and alumni ran in the races.