It was a test of endurance for athletes and race coordinators alike during this year’s Trail Rail Run. Although numbers were down and the rain was persistent, the overall emotion of the race was gratefulness.

As runners stepped across the finish line at the community park in St. Regis on June 6, the competitors all agreed, “At least we had this one.”

First place 50K finisher Matt Lautzenheiser from Missoula exclaimed, “This was literally one of the only races we knew was still going on this year, so it was great to participate in it.”

Lautzenheiser along with two other friends from Missoula took on the 50K course that started Saturday morning from Taft. Normally he and his running mates would be partaking in the Missoula Marathon but it too was called off because of COVID-19.

“So, when we found out about a month ago that this was still going to be held, I called up my buddies and said, hey were doing this!” Lautzenheiser said.

The cards were heavily stacked against the event with the pandemic, a shortage of volunteers and runners, along with numerous event restrictions it was a wonder how the day was accomplished.

Race director Tyler Cheesman had to contend with a lack of helpers due to health concerns, last minute vandalism to signs along the trail route, as well as a strong thunderstorm that ripped through the valley the evening before the race. Even an early morning accident on Interstate 90 created more obstacles for course workers and racers to get to their aid stations and starting points on time.

“I did actually get some sleep the night before the race,” Cheesman said. In its eighth year, despite all of the hurdles and setbacks she felt the event was successful.

The blow-up runners edge arch in the St. Regis Park greeted 125 runners each accomplishing various distances to reach the finish line. Complying with local and state health guidelines in regards to COVID-19, the race was forced to only allow Montana residents.

This, and bad weather resulted in about one third of the normal participation this year. Many of the athletes chose to defer their registrations and plan to be back in Montana in 2021 to run this beautiful rail road grade.

Grace Santiago is a runner from Kalispell and she completed the 30K along with a friend. She had mixed emotions heading into the race.

“I think everyone has just a sense of relief when they got to run today, we’ve all been so tired of everything being canceled,” Santiago said.

Santiago was scheduled to do a marathon at the California Redwoods in October, but that event has been affected by COVID-19 as well.

“You know we endure these long Montana winters so that in the spring and summer we get to enjoy our outdoor recreation, I’m just really glad we got to do this race at least!” Santiago said.

Several regular volunteers and aid station workers were unable to assist because of age and health concerns with COVID, leaving some of the work to be accomplished by various runners themselves. With the shorter races finishing in the morning this allowed some local athletes to head back up the trail to man aid stations and help with flagging.

The rainy day concluded with two 50-mile contestants pushing on to the finish line. Debbie Detweiler, 64, from Ronan was greeted at the park by her family celebrating with a champagne finish. The ever-resilient Sherene Ricci of Missoula completed her fifth 50-mile hand cyclist course during this year’s event.

“It sure was a blessing to not have to go up the Idaho side this time!” Ricci said.

Due to health regulations surrounding COVID-19 the race started on the Montana side up at Lookout Pass, looping in some areas to make up lost distance.

2020 Trail Rail Run Race Results

50 Mile: 1st Place Jesse Potter from Lolo. Age 31. Time of 7:13.

50K: 1st Place Matt Lautzenheiser from Missoula. Age 43. Time of 4:13.

30K: 1st Place Randy Tanner from Missoula. Age 41. Time of 2:22.

12K: 1st Place Nathaniel Gale from Florence. Age 15. Time of 50:21.

Mineral County runners: Morris Hill, Christopher Quinlivan, Janet Smith, Samantha Frederick, John Feazelle, Donna Feazelle, George Bailey, Anita Bailey.

5K: 1st Place, Dave Jackson from DeBorgia. Age 60. Time of 28:07

2nd Place, Wyatt Heacock from St. Regis. Age 15. Time of 29:44

Mineral County Runners: Autumn Wagner, Coyle Love, Tucker Desoto, Zach Desoto, Nile Desoto, Isaac Desoto, Blayne Wagner, Mark Farris, Trevor Wolff, Oscar Wolff, Olivia Cannon, Barbara Hill, Joann Heacock, Joni Spaulding, Joyce Semenza, Jeanette Wolff, Eileen Wolff.