The Whitefish Legacy Center and a new trail section near Whitefish Mountain Resort will be showcased during the 16th annual Whitefish Trail Blazer races on Oct. 3 and 4.  

The Whitefish Trail Blazer is a fundraiser for Whitefish Legacy Partners -- the nonprofit behind the Whitefish Trail development -- with distances ranging from a 2-mile family run up to the mountain 50k.  

The 50K on Saturday, Oct. 3 will start and end at Whitefish Mountain Resort’s village. The course will summit Big Mountain and run down the Whitefish Trail to the Reservoir Trailhead and back up.  

The course will feature newly built sections of Whitefish Trail that stretch from the top of Chair 3 down to the Big Mountain Trailhead area. The approximately 3-mile section is part of a partnership between Whitefish Legacy Partners and the resort. It will eventually connect with trails in Haskill and Hellroaring basins.  

A grand opening for the trail section and further details are expected later this month.  

The ultra-distance race offers a fun spectator experience at the village, where 50K runners will pass through the start/finish area in front of the Hellroaring Saloon four times. There will be live music by Todd Cowart and food and drink from Ed McGrew BBQ. 

The family run, 5k, 10k and half marathon on Sunday will bring its own level of enthusiasm as Whitefish Legacy Partners is eager to host its first large event at their new Whitefish Legacy Center.   

The Whitefish Trail Blazer historically was hosted at the Whitefish Bike Retreat. It will now return to the property, only this time under Legacy Partners ownership and recreated as the 35-acre Whitefish Legacy Center. 

The Legacy Center officially opened in July. It is envisioned as the heart of the Whitefish Trail, with recreation, conservation efforts, community connection and educational opportunities all in one place. 

Jedd Sankar-Gorton, Legacy Partners program director, said they are excited to showcase the revamped property and its potential as a community hub. 

“We hosted the event here for years, but we never really had control over the space,” said Sankar-Gorton. “It’s a little different now that we own the property. We want people to come here and help shape its legacy.” 

Sunday’s finish celebration at the Whitefish Legacy Center runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Everyone, not just runners, is invited to come cheer and explore the Legacy Partners’ new headquarters. 

The Trail Blazer is incorporating another opportunity of pre-event fun with packet pickup at Thirty-Eight in downtown Whitefish the Friday before, with music, food, merch and a shakeout run.  

This year’s Whitefish Trail Blazer is made possible by Presenting Sponsor Flathead Running Company, Physical Therapy Sponsor OrthoRehab, fueling sponsor Open Fuel, major sponsors SK Farm, Explore Whitefish, and Goodwater Church, and event sponsors the Flathead Beacon, Weyerhaeuser, Tamarack Cannabis, and Whitefish Mountain Resort.  

All participants will receive lunch, drinks, a t-shirt and a swag bag. All 50K runners and Sunday’s winners will receive a medal. 

Register online at www.whitefishlegacy.org/whitefish-trail-blazer. All proceeds directly support Whitefish Legacy Partners and the Whitefish Trail. 

Editor Kelsey Evans can be reached at 406-862-3505 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at whitefishpilot.com/support.    Jessica Claypool turns the corner under the East Rim Chair during the Whitefish 50K Trail Blazer Race. Seth Anderson Photo.
  

    The Sarnoskis participate in the Whitefish Trail Blazer family fun run on Sunday, Oct. 5. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)