For many folks there is nothing like keeping a cold morning at bay with a good book and a warm place to read. 

The crew at the Plains Public Library took steps to ensure both pleasantries Saturday with their successful Bookin’ It 5K fun run under cold and cloudy skies. 

The first ever such event for the Plains Public Library L drew a field of more than 65 runners and before the race had begun, library officials were touting the fact they had reached their fund raising target of $2,000. 

“A large portion of these donations (via t-shirt sales and runner registration fees) goes to help pay our propane bill,” said Cindy Thomas, a library official who helped check in the group of runners of all ages. “About 30 percent will go to help with propane costs.”

The rest, she said, will be used to purchase books and other items to help keep the facility stocked, staffed and warm on a classic Montana late spring day with a cold rain beginning to fall as the first runners crossed the finish line. 

The event was held at Amundson Sports Complex and offered participants two distance at which to run, 5K (3.1 miles) and one mile (1.6K) over the mostly asphalt running surface, including the old runway at the Plains airport. 

Race officials awarded medals and other prizes to participants with no particular award for time or distance. 

A special prize was award to Lisa Kinser and her 7-year-old son, Kade Kinser, who participated in the 1 mile run and were the first two runners to cross the finish line. 

“That was fun to do,” Kade said following the race in which he crossed the finish line just ahead of his mother. “It wasn’t that hard but we did pretty good.”

The Kinsers sprinted the final several yards, crossing well ahead of the rest of the field. 

Top finishers in the 5K event were Plains High students Kalem Ercanbrack, first boy finisher, and Savanah Costner, first among the ladies. Both have been members of the school’s successful and promising high school cross country and track teams. 

Also on hand for the run was Steven Trask, a Paradise area resident who was competing in his second fun run event. 

“I really haven’t trained much for this event, but I wanted to come out and give it a try,” he said.  Trask crossed the finish line in the top tier of runners. 

Runner 15 and older paid $20 to enter the event, which all agreed was for a good cause.  A large list of local companies also helped sponsor the event, according to PPL Director Nikki Ericksen. 

“We got some great support from the local business community,” she said. “For a first time event this went well.” 

Among those business helping make the event possible were: Quinn’s Resort, Rehbein Ford, MT. West Dentist, Plains Travel Plaza, Correct Construction, Clint and Monica Weedman, McGowan’s Grocery, Blackfoot Communications, Plains Auto Parts, Rocky Mountain Bank, First Security Bank, 406 Outlet/Colleen’s Country Store, Plains Physical Therapy, Sacred Summit, Star Construction, Clark Fork Valley Hospital, Crowder Design, Star Contracting Custom Homes, Montana Real Estate NW and Plains Drug. 

    The top girls placer, Savanah Costner of Plains. (Chuck Bandel/MI-VP)
  

    Overall 5K winner Kalem Ercanbrack of Plains. (Chuck Bandel/MI-VP)