COEUR d’ALENE — When Darcy Green finished her shift at Kootenai Health on Thursday morning she didn’t go home to sleep. 

She put on her running shoes, picked up her dog, Alakai, and headed to the 49th annual Tesh 5K Fun Run to start the new year. 

“I love it,” said a smiling Green, with her four-legged running buddy alongside her. “I worked 12 hours and came out to run this.” 

Alakai, despite his age, was enjoying the exercise, too. 

"He might not look like it, but he’s 10 years old,” Green said as she turned to continue her charge toward the finish line at Atlas Waterfront Park a little more than a mile away. 

A few hundred runners and walkers came out for the fundraiser that benefits Tesh on a 27-degree, cloudy morning. The nonprofit’s primary goal is to offer choices and opportunities to people of all ages seeking greater independence, self-sufficiency and participation in their community. 

The out-and-back course followed the North Idaho Centennial Trail along the Spokane River. Some ran with hats declaring “Happy New Year.” Parents were joined by kids, friends were side by side in conversation, while some busted a lung in a race against the clock.

Liz Preston and Bev Mandy were among the early bird walkers and the first to reach the turnaround point manned as usual by Richard and Jill Jurvelin, who handed out water and encouragement. 

Preston said she’s done the Tesh fun run, formerly the 5-mile Hangover Handicap that went along Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive, every year but one since 2012. Both said they used to race often and are trying to get back into running shape. 

Preston, who ran her last full 26.2-mile marathon two years ago, is prepping for an Oregon marathon in June.  

“This is my comeback year and this is the best way to start,” she said. 

Tim Acheson of Coeur d’Alene was setting a solid pace as he pushed son Reece in a stroller.

“It’s all for fun,” he said. “A good reason to get out of bed today.” 

Reece agreed. 

“I think it’s really good,” he said.  

The two were a team in 2025 for themed runs around Thanksgiving, Halloween and Christmas. 

“That was our New Year’s resolution last year,” Acheson said. 

He was “100% optimistic” 2026 would be great. 

“We're going to kill it this year,” he said. 

Friends Kim Dotson and Deborah French were laughing, smiling and posing for selfies as they ran and walked their way to the finish line. 

“It's not a race for us. We’re out to have a good time,” Dotson said.

Both are hopeful and excited for 2026. They planned to continue their fresh start right after the run with a dive in the water from the beach at North Idaho College, well before the masses in the Polar Bear Plunge at Sanders Beach at noon.

“We didn’t want to wait,” Dotson said. 

Bryan and Emma Connally of Spokane, joined by their dog, Remi, were among the front runners, with a brisk pace. Bryan said they were feeling good and liked the crispness of the air. 

“A great way to start the year,” he said. 

    Runners come and go on the North Idaho Centennial Trail for the Tesh 5K Fun Run on Thursday morning.
  

    Tim Acheson of Coeur d’Alene pushes son Reece in a stroller in the Tesh 5K Fun Run.
  

    Bryan and Emma Connally of Spokane, joined by their dog Remi, were among the front runners in the Tesh 5K Fun Run on Thursday.
  

    Volunteer Richard Jurvelin greets runners at the turnaround point of the Tesh 5K Run Fun on Thursday.
  

    Kim Dotson smiles during the Tesh 5K Fun Run on Thursday.
  

    A runner cruises along the North Idaho Centennial Trail next to the Spokane River during the Tesh 5K Fun Run on Thursday.