KELLOGG — The seventh annual Jackass Half Marathon lived up to the hype, delivering a fun, festive and fast race that had runners and organizers celebrating. 

"This might have been the best Jackass yet," Sarah Murphy exclaimed. "I don’t know how we keep pleasing Mother Nature, but she keeps giving us perfect fall weather." 

She isn't wrong. Since its inception in 2020, Jackass weekend has enjoyed unseasonably warm October weather each year. 

More than 700 people participated this year, making it the largest Jackass event to date. The race also produced its fastest finish ever, as Lewiston's Connor Turpin set a new course record with a time of 1:09:29.4. 

While race organizers were impressed with Turpin's performance, they emphasized that the Jackass is about more than fast times. It's also about good vibes and what Murphy described as the collective goal of "jackassery." 

"Everyone is dubbed a Jackass as they cross the finish and everyone gets a medal and T-shirt," she said. 

Whether participants ran the half marathon, walked the course, or competed in the 5K, Murphy said the event is built around bringing the community together to celebrate. 

This year, the celebration extended beyond the finish line. According to organizer Kelton Enich, Murphy masterminded a start-line party where racers fueled up, took photos, listened to music and prepared for the race. 

Once underway, runners traveled the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes course, passing volunteer groups that offered refreshments, music and encouragement along the route. 

That fun atmosphere is a defining feature of the race. Along with Murphy and Enich, Tara Lodi serves on the organizing committee and coordinates volunteers and aid station locations. 

"The volunteers are hands down the best," Murphy said. "This race is kept goofy, lighthearted and energetic thanks to our volunteers. It would be a completely different race without them. Just downhill on pavement boring. But the costumes, themes, noisemakers and chalk drawings along with miles of positive energy are something the racers comment on over and over." 

Along with a T-shirt and medal, each participant of legal drinking age received a complimentary beer courtesy of Radio Brewing, the custom dry-hopped beer featured hops named after musician Frank Zappa. 

Murphy, Enich and Lodi also credited the race's key partners, including Local Real Estate, Radio Brewing, Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area, AHA! Creative and Silver Mountain. Murphy said each business played an important role in the event's success and expects the race to continue growing with the momentum generated this year. 

"We are so grateful they love these types of community events like we do," she said. 

Organizers are already looking for ways to expand the event, including adding a volunteer appreciation dinner for those who help make the race memorable.

    The Jackass Half Marathon celebrates goofiness, something Wallace resident Sean Murphy embraces.