COEUR d'ALENE — When Robert Wagner toed the starting line of the virtual five-mile Hangover Handicap Friday morning at 9:30 behind Michael D's Eatery, he was alone.

That was a first since he's run this race every year since 2010.

"Definitely the only one I've done by myself," Wagner said, smiling.

The Spokane man was happy to start the New Year as usual with a solid run, and then the Polar Bear Plunge at Sanders Beach.

"I'm excited to go out and get this over with," he said as he prepared to start the timer on his watch. "It's been a tradition in my family for quite some time. I'm hoping 8 minute miles. We'll see."

Seconds later, he was off, charging hard on slush toward the rest of the course on Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive.

When he finished — first — in just over 40 minutes, it was just off his desired pace.

"That felt pretty good," he said.

Wagner plans to carry that feeling into 2021.

"It's going to be a better year than last year. I'm looking forward to getting back to normal," he said.

The 44th annual race, a fundraiser for Tesh, Inc. — which provides training and opportunities for people with disabilities or other challenges to be independent — was canceled due to coronavirus restrictions, but many still registered online and ran a virtual race.

On a cold, cloudy Friday, some were walking and running on the North Idaho Centennial Trail. Others, like Caleb and Mandee Hiebert, Claire Kincaid-Slate and Autumn Deda, jogged on Mullan Avenue.

The ladies wore 2021 glasses and red tutus, and all were in good spirits, despite celebrating a bit too much to ring in the new year.

"We're a little hung over," Kincaid-Slate said, as they all laughed. "We had some drinks by the fire last night so we're excited to get out in the cool, crisp air and get rid of our hangovers."

The group wore similarly festive outfits for Christmas, and also ran a virtual Big Sur Interational Marathon in Coeur d'Alene this year.

Caleb Hiebert was confident this year will be a good one.

"It's only going to get better," he said.

Mandee Hiebert agreed.

"We've all managed to stay healthy," she said.

Then, only a mile into their run, they pushed on, with a final shout of "Happy New Year."