The final miles of the North Idaho Centennial Trail leaving Idaho and heading into Washington have long been a rough ride. 

“Like rumble strips,” said Tabitha Kraack, director of the nonprofit NICT foundation. 

But cyclists will find things smoother thanks to a recently completed $260,000 resurfacing project handled by Poe Asphalt Paving of Post Falls. 

It was primarily funded by a $150,000 Recreational Trails Program grant and $100,000 in matching grant funds contributed by the Joint Powers Board, which includes the cities of Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene, Kootenai County and the foundation. 

Bike riders have noticed the difference and called in their appreciation.

"It is so much nicer,” Kraack said.

The 23-mile North Idaho Centennial Trail is important for both physical and economic health. 

It stretches from the Idaho/Washington state line to Higgens Point east of Coeur d’Alene. It is used by thousands of bikers, runners, skaters and walkers each year and has an estimated annual economic impact of about $3 million. 

It links people to places, passing through parks, neighborhoods, a college, a waterfront resort and million-dollar homes. It runs next to Lake Coeur d'Alene and the Spokane River, offering spectacular views and stops along the way.

Kraack said the improvement work started around three weeks ago and was overdue as bike riders have for years been bounced around for a several-mile stretch of the popular trail near the state line.

She said they hope to land more grant money to continue resurfacing the trail's most-worn sections. 

“That part of the trail is almost 36 years old," she said. 

The trail will host much of the 49th Coeur d’Alene Marathon on Sunday, Memorial Day weekend. Nearly 2,800 people have registered for either the full marathon, the half marathon, a 10K or a 5K. Races start and end at McEuen Park.

They are on track for more than 3,000 runners, which would be a record. 

Kraack credited the event's growing popularity to race director Ryan Hite, a mostly flat, scenic course along Lake Coeur d'Alene and a strong marketing campaign. 

“As long as the weather holds up, we’re going to have a great day,” Kraack said. 

It looks good so far. The forecast as of today is calling for partly cloudy skies Sunday, with lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s.