Thirty-five years ago, the North Idaho Centennial Trail was an idea. During those first planning meetings, it involved a handful of people sitting around a table at a Denny’s. 

“Coffee shops didn’t exist then,” said Tim Keatty as a crowd of about 150 people laughed. 

They do today, and that idea of a paved path for recreation became reality, as well. It turned into 23 miles used by runners, walkers and cyclists that stretches from the Idaho/Washington stateline to Higgens Point east of Coeur d’Alene. 

But as Keatty, board chair of the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation, said, “there’s more.” 

The Prairie Trail that heads to Huetter was recently extended to Meyer Road; it is a few hundred yards from being finished to Highway 41. 

“And that will include an underpass to Prairie Avenue,” Keatty said. 

The path parallel to Highway 41 will stretch from Seltice Way in Post Falls to Rathdrum.  

“All we’re looking for now is something to cross Lancaster back to 41 and we’ll have a big loop for cycling pleasures,” Keatty said. “So, there’s a lot of wonderful things going on.” 

The North Idaho Centennial Trail is the focal point.

It’s estimated the trail is used annually by around 800,000 people and provides a boost for businesses, said Tabitha Kraack, executive director of the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation. The run course for the Ironman 70.3 Coeur d'Alene follows much of the trail.

“We bring in about $6 million in new money to the community,” Kraack said during the nonprofit’s annual meeting at Vantage Point Brewing Company on Thursday night. 

“We're seeing more people coming to the area, more people using the trail,” Kraack said. 

Post Falls Mayor Randy Westlund was a guest speaker. 

He grew up in North Carolina and his family spent a lot of time in the outdoors. 

“That's always been important to me,” he said. “I want my kids to have that kind of outdoors experience growing up."

The North Idaho Centennial Trail, he said, provides opportunities for a generation of youth that tend to be disconnected from nature. It is where they can walk, run and bike with friends. 

The trail, he added, can shape the culture. 

“We have something really special here,” Westlund said. 

Kraack agreed. 

Through sponsorships, membership and events, the foundation raises money for trail upkeep and improvements. Volunteers play a key role 

“There's a lot of amazing faces in here that have made the trail what it is today,” Kraack said. 

The foundation’s events include the Coeur d’Alene Marathon. 

“This is our pride and joy,” Kraack said. “This is our baby. We love our marathon. Our marathon is how we keep our lights on.’ 

It is growing. Last year, about 900 were registered in January and about 2,800 participated in May. This year, 1,300 have already registered and organizers believe they could top 3,000 on race day.

“We have now made a name for ourselves," Kraack said. "We are the best marathon in Idaho.” 

Coeur d’Fondo, another foundation fundraiser that was canceled last year, will not be held again this year due to the lack of a race director. In years past, it has attracted hundreds of cyclists. 

Keatty said there is an opportunity to recreate and rebrand Coeur d’Fondo 

“It's really too late to make it happen this year unless someone really, really wanted to try,” he said.