Clouds don't deter 1st Fun Run participants
Undeterred by the threat of rain, some 50 runners of all ages turned out at the Tsalteshi trailhead behind Skyview High school for the inaugural running of the Progress Days Fun Run. The event was the inspiration of Pete Sprague, Soldotna Assemblyman and Tsalteshi Trail Assoc. board chairman.
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Some 50 runners prepare for the start of the first Progress Days Fun Run at the Tsalteshi Trails
"I was very pleased by how many runners turned out considering the rainy weather and all, it was way fun," said Sprague. The fun Run was sponsored by the Tsalteshi Trail Association, which has held running events such as the Tsalteshi Challenge in the past. Intended to be a family event, the race drew runners of all levels. Sprague addressed the runners prior to the official start, and stated the intention for the race to become an annual part of Soldotna's Progress Days.
And they are off, some 50 runners start the 5 K trail for the inaugural Fun Run at the Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna
Turning in the fastest time of the day was Brent Knight, of Soldotna, finishing the rolling course of about 3.5 miles in a time of 21 minutes, 18 seconds. Grant Gephardt posted the second fastest time of the run coming in at 21:36. Right on Grant's heels was Daniel Harrow at 21:44. For the ladies, Katherine Amen breezed the course at 24:54, a minute and a half in front of Teri Ostrander who crossed the finish line at 26:36. Katie Franzmann was third with a time of 27:52.
The race was quite a challenge according to Steve Stenga, of Soldotna, who is training to run the Chicago Marathon later this summer, "It's all up and down and up again, there is no real place where you can get a recovery. The second wind just never happens," said Stenga who finished with a time of 25:17. For more details and photos of the race, go to www.tsalteshi.org.