COEUR d’ALENE — Cynthia Craft and Johanna Gertner were hand in hand when they crossed the finish line of the Coeur d’Alene 10K on Sunday. 

“We were so excited, we were kissing each other,” Craft said, laughing as the pair caught their breath near the end of the course at McEuen Park. 

The women live across the street from each other in their Hayden neighborhood. They were among about 3,000 runners — a record for the event — who took part in one of four distances, the full Coeur d’Alene marathon, half, 10K and 5K on a warm and windy day. 

“I’m so proud of her,” Craft said of her friend. “We kept each other motivated.” 

What also helped was the crowds along the route, which took them along scenic streets and treated them to lake views. 

“The runners coming the opposite way are cheering you on,” Gertner said. 

Connor Turpin of Lewiston won the marathon in 2 hours, 30 minutes and 59 seconds, followed by Carter Gordon of Puyallup, whose time was 2:38:43. Trevor Uyemura of Vienna, Wash., finished third in 2:39:08.  

Cole Olsen of Coeur d’Alene was the top local finisher and fourth overall with a time of 2:42:39.

Shannon Havrilka of Chesterfield, Mo., was the first woman to finish the marathon. Her time was 3:12:42. Anna Brainerd of Murfreesboro, Tenn., was second, with a time of 3:20:45, followed by Hilary Beck of Westwood, Kan., with a time of 3:23:40.  

Coeur d’Alene runner Alexandra Cook was the top local woman marathoner, finishing in 3:27:05.  

Samuel Moulton, of Wilmington, N.C., won the half marathon with a time of 1:16:18. Kai Sharbono, of Spokane, was the top woman in the half marathon, finishing in 1:22:55.  

Matt Robers, of Coeur d’Alene, was the first local half marathon finisher and second overall, with a time of 1:18:44. Coeur d’Alene runner Rachel Salters was the first local woman to finish the half marathon, crossing the finish line after 1:36:17.  

Kayla Leland, of Spokane, won the 10K with a time of 35:59. Post Falls runner Gaberiel McCombs was the first local finisher and second overall, finishing the 10K in 37:28. Sharon Anderson, of Coeur d’Alene, was the first local woman to finish, with a time of 44:53.  

Coeur d’Alene runner Brooklyn Shell won the 5K with a time of 17:05. Noah Anderson, also of Coeur d’Alene, was the first local man to finish and third overall, with a time of 17:38. 

Monte Higbee completed an Ironman in Coeur d’Alene about eight years ago but hasn’t been in any serious races since. 

“I wasn’t in running shape,” the Coeur d’Alene man said.

Still, he wanted to participate because the race benefits the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation, a nonprofit that helps with maintenance and capital improvements of the Centennial Trail and supports the development of new trails in Kootenai County. 

In the end, Higbee completed the 5K, running across the finish line. 

“It felt good to stop running,” he said with a laugh. 

He encouraged others to give the race a try next year, even if they’re not in tip-top shape. 

“Don’t be afraid, even if you have to walk,” he said. 

For Kris McNeil of Castle Rock, Colo., the Coeur d’Alene Marathon was one leg of an even longer journey. She’s running a half marathon in all 50 states; Coeur d’Alene marks No. 34 on her list. 

“This is my Idaho race,” she said. 

Her husband, Jamin McNeil, was there to cheer her on. 

“I just want to help her reach her goal,” he said. “She’s very inspiring.” 

In two weeks, McNeil will run back-to-back races in Maine and Vermont, bringing her closer to her 50-state goal. 

“I can see the end,” she said. 

But Coeur d’Alene left a strong impression. 

“Everyone was really kind,” she said. “Coeur d’Alene runners are the cleanest. I didn’t see any trash on the course. This is a community that gets it.” 

    Hayden residents Johnna Gertner and Cynthia Craft completed a 10K race together Sunday.
  

    Berenice McGarthy, of Garden City, finished the 10K race Sunday at McEuen Park.