Kootenai River Run races to success on new date

This year’s Kootenai River Run/Walk was held on Saturday, Sept. 26, and had almost 100 finishers. This year’s event was part of Kootenai River Days and had been rescheduled from the summer because of the local forest fires. 

The run raises funds for scholarships for Bonners Ferry High School scholar-athletes who have been active in cross country and/or track. This year’s recipients were awarded the scholarships in the summer before they headed to college — Maddie Hart, Matisyn Stiern, and Gaige Johnson.

The race started at the Boundary County Fairgrounds, crossed the Kootenai River, and went through neighborhoods before splitting into 5K and 10K courses. The courses rejoined and returned to the fairgrounds. Following the race and the awards, participants attended Kootenai River Days activities and enjoyed the fall weather.

The KRR had reduced numbers this year, likely due to the different date. For instance, the Bonners Ferry High School cross country team was away at a meet in Spokane, but organizers were glad that the run and the Kootenai River Days were not canceled altogether and noted that the decision in July had been out of respect and appreciation for first responders and firefighters and the emergency operations center being at the fairgrounds at the time. Run organizers expressed gratitude for all participants and volunteers as well as to those who chose to donate their race entries to the scholarships, even if they were unable to attend the make-up event.

Ribbons went to the top three finishers in each age group. Overall race winners received locally made trophy plaques from Carl Kerttu. Participants had opportunities to win door prizes of various kinds — gift cards, haircuts, massages, merchandise, spa treatments, and more. There was also a drawing for a $125 gift certificate from Outdoor Experience in Sandpoint. Full “thank you” lists, prizes, and photographs can be found on the Kootenai River Run Facebook page.

Overall race winners were the following: Charis Strait won the women’s 5K with 23:24.5; Oakley Teele won the men’s 5K with 20:05; Riley Diehl won the women’s 10K with 45:52; and Steven Delarosa won the men’s 10K with 45:45. Several participants ran personal bests over previous years.

The race featured live musicians and performers — Jeff Strugar, and as is tradition, the Rowdy Restorium Renegades.

Event organizers would like to thank event sponsors, local businesses, race volunteers, and all the participants. Bonners Ferry High School cross country coach and KRR co-race director Lyndsay Hart was especially appreciative to the Kootenai River Run and its participants for supporting local student-athletes. She also appreciated the help that the Boundary County Middle School Leadership Class provided during the run.

Also among those thanked is the Idaho Forest Group, which helped sponsor the event.

Kootenai River Run Committee member Carolyn Birrell said, “It was great to see so many people come out in the chilly weather after having to reschedule from this summer’s smoke and fires. The funds go straight to our scholarship program.”

Kootenai River Run

5K Women

Overall winner: Charis Strait, 23:24.5.

0-11: Reagan Patzer, 1:04:40.

12-15: Charis Strait, 23:24.5; Haven Strait, 25:09; Kina Souza, 31:54; Eden Strait, 34:45; Lindy Teele, 42:30.

16-19: No finishers.

20-29: Eika Willis, 23:40; Daniela Villanueva, 29:27; Katie Vader, 34:33; Meg Kohanek, 34:34; Cass Shetler, 36:28; Gracie Adams, 38:35.7; Mia Zimmerman, 43:21.8; Susanna Kielley, 1:05:16.

30-39: Sierra Temple, 33:37; Lauren Jones, 33:46; Sarah Krahn, 38:35.4; Amanda Harris, 38:52; Brooke Hines, 53:03; Jessica Patzer, 1:05:14.

40-49: Ambur Robbins, 29:36; Pam Winter, 32:24; Andrea Aumick, 40:11; Julia Shetler, 43:42; April Sartell, 52:52; Jan Bayer, 52:55.

50-59: Kelly Hinthorn, 52:56.

60-69: Sally Loveless, 32:35; Colleen Filipowski, 36:03; Linda Manley, 43:30; Janis Tucker, 52:51; Candy Forrester, 1:08:05.

70-over: No finishers.

5K Men

Overall winner: Oakley Teele, 20:05.

0-11: Hans Wold, 24:15; Landen Patzer, 1:07:45.

12-15: Krimani Souza, 22:29; Josiah Geyman, 23:24.2.

16-19: Colton Cohen, 20:53; Matthew McCabe, 22:23; Ethan Cowell, 24:37; Devin Sceppe, 25:26; Ronin Hanson, 26:33; Ezra Kessler, 43:06.

20-29: Jared Brown, 21:43; Jose Gonzalez, 32:14; Juan Villanueva, 37:15; Chad Zimmerman, 43:21.1.

30-39: Nolan Broden, 24:46.

40-49: Oakley Teele, 20:05; Michael Wold, 25:02; Josh Troyer, 25:41; Shane Patzer, 28:18; David Mayhew, 28:42; Ryan Comer, 33:56; Matt Shetler, 43:42.8.

50-59: Luke Strait, 24:26.

60-69: No finishers.

70-over: Sam Testa, 38:49; Bud Patzer, 1:01:11.

10K Women

Overall winner: Riley Diehl, 45:52.

0-11: No finishers.

12-15: No finishers.

16-19: No finishers.

20-29: Sarah Beachy, 1:11:58.

30-39: Riley Diehl, 45:52; Carissa Skrivseth, 1:02:02.

40-49: Jessica Settini, 55:49; Jennifer Filipowski, 58:47; Melody Lummus, 1:06:00; Cassie Kathrein, 1:17:37; Laura Troyer, 1:23:01.

50-59: Jo Velasco, 56:29; Lindy Medema, 56:36; Kim Brown, 1:06:14; Melissa Morrow, 1:06:27.

60-69: No finishers.

70-over: No finishers.

10K Men

Overall winner: Steven Delarosa, 45:45.

0-11: Steven Delarosa, 45:45.

12-15: No finishers.

16-19: Caleb Kothbauer, 1:13:37.

20-29: No finishers.

30-39: Evan Schlabach, 52:05; Alex Skrivseth, 1:02:03; Ryan Hess, 1:04:36.

40-49: Jeremy Souza, 48:12.

50-59: Brian Morrow, 1:05:56.

60-69: Todd Bailey, 56:42; Greg Forrester, 1:04:50.

70-over: No finishers.

Totals: 77 finishers in the 5K, 21 finishers in the 10K, 98 finishers overall.