The 2023 Trail Rail Run along the Route of the Olympian from Mullan, Idaho to St. Regis took place on June 17.

Runners had a wet start Saturday morning, dodging puddles down the old railroad grade and contending with cooler-than-normal temperatures. Around 200 participants from 22 different states competed in races of various grueling lengths all concluding at the Community Park in St. Regis where they were handed their customary railroad spike keepsake.

The longest course distance of 50 miles goes up and over Lookout Pass, 50Ker’s start at Taft, the 30K contestants clocked in at Haugan, 12K racers got underway at Ward Creek, and the 5K crowd began their trek back to St. Regis at the Two-Mile exit. Race director Tyler Cheesman pulled off the events 11th year and was fortunate enough to use several local small businesses for the runners finishing swag bags and prize sponsors.

For many, the promise of a free post run huckleberry milkshake courtesy of the St. Regis Travel Center is enough to keep their feet moving on the trail. The brave 50-mile finishers earned special Trail Rail jackets embroidered by local seamstress Julie Thompson-Kelly. And Amanda Gillette of St. Regis, is the owner of The Southern Herd, which does customized apparel and accessories, runners shirts and volunteer shirts were completed for this year’s race right here in St. Regis.

Next year’s race date is already set for June 15, 2024.

2023 Trail Rail Run Race Results:

50 Mile First Place Male – Tor Gudmundsen, Helena, MT, 7:22:00

50 Mile First Place Female – Brittany Katzer, Libby, MT, 8:16:54

50K First Place Male - Nicholas Berger, Stevensville, MT, 4:51:24

50K First Place Female - Abby Shealy, Homer, AK, 5:46:25

30K First Place Male – Kjay Davis, Spokane Valley, WA, 2:37:26

30K First Place Female – Whitney Young, Silverton, ID, 2:46:09

12K First Place Male – Toby Chatriand, Missoula, MT, 56:05

12K First Place Female - Amy Schwarber, Bellevue, KY, 54:01

5K First Place Male – Quentin Bateman, Polson, MT 24:03

5K First Place Female – Emma Marshall, Missoula, MT 31:46

Trail Rail Run Competitors from Mineral County

5K Finishers

Wyatt Clifford, St. Regis, MT, 28:43 (4th place overall)

Heather Pecora, Superior, MT, 39:31

Morris Hill, St. Regis, MT, 42:09

Piper McGuffey, St. Regis, MT, 45:07

Boaz McGuffey, St. Regis, MT, 49:04

Rebekah McGuffey, St. Regis, MT, 53:16

Isaiah McGuffey, St. Regis, MT, 59:48

Barb Hill, St. Regis, MT, 1:00:45

George, Bailey, St. Regis, MT, 1:16:32

Anita Bailey, St. Regis, MT, 1:18:37

Judy Stang, St. Regis, MT, 1:24:0

Eileen Wolff, St. Regis, MT, 1:36:59

Kathy Koepke, St. Regis, MT, 1:37:00

Joann Heacock, St. Regis, MT, 1:37:00

12K Finishers

Henry Hanson, Superior, MT, 1:21:35

Amy Quinlivan, St. Regis, MT, 1:26:06

Christopher Quinlivan, St. Regis, MT, 1:26:06

Donna Feazelle, St. Regis, MT, 1:56:39