Two Bear joins Summer Games

Planning for the Whitefish Summer Games is underway with one of town’s biggest races signing on to anchor the weekend of sporting events.

The Two Bear Marathon is now part of the Summer Games, and will be held Sunday, Sept. 7. Nearly 300 runners competed in the Two Bear marathon and half marathon last year.

The Summer Games are set for Sept. 5-7.

Also anchoring the weekend is the annual Whitefish Soccer Games that regularly draws hundreds of soccer players of all ages to town.

Adding to the excitement will be a few dragon boats on display at City Beach prior to the annual dragon boat races on Flathead Lake.

Other events confirmed for the weekend include softball, lacrosse, hockey, horseshoes, darts, cribbage, beanbag tossing and rock, paper, scissors.

Summer Games organizer Colin Sellwood is looking for businesses or individuals to head up other events. Suggested events include 3-on-3 basketball, tennis, biking, mountain biking, volleyball, bocce ball, ping-pong, billiards, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming.

“Plus any more that imaginative people can come up with,” Sellwood said.

In the early days of the Summer Games, live mouse races were the most popular event, but “health issues” brought them to an end. Yet, Sellwood now has a set of life-sized wind-up mice, complete with twirling tails available for use.

“We’re looking for someone with an innovative idea for them,” Sellwood said.

In fact, innovation and a bit of silliness is what the games are all about, Sellwood said.

“That’s what I would like to have happen,” he said, “for the people of Whitefish to embrace the fun and eccentricity of the event, so that it brings in people from elsewhere and introduces them to the idea that it’s OK to be silly and be a kid again.”

To sign up for an event or to learn more, visit online at www.wfsummergames.com.