Whitefish Trail Blazer a highlight for local trail runners

Over 550 runners blazed the Whitefish Trail last weekend, taking part in the 15th annual trail running event hosted by Whitefish Legacy Partners.  

Formally called the Whitefish Trail Legacy Run, the new event, The Whitefish Trail Blazer, featured a more mountainous 50k course starting and finishing at Whitefish Mountain Resort. With more than 6,300 vertical feet in over 30 miles, 134 runners got the opportunity to climb up Big Mountain not once, but twice.  

Luke Schmidt of Kalispell took the top spot in 4:38.31, and not far behind in second overall was the top female – and the youngest participant at 19 – Renae Parker from Clancy at 4:46.32.  

Sunday’s half marathon, 10k, 5k and family fun run events took place on the other side of Whitefish Lake by Beaver Lake, starting and finishing at Whitefish Bike Retreat, with no adjustments to previous years’ courses.  

Collin Buck of Great Falls and Eilzabeth Wasserman of Columbia Falls were top finishers in the half marathon event.  

The events showcased the best parts of the Whitefish Trail, which currently includes 47 miles of natural trails and 15 different trailheads around Whitefish.  

Across all events, the 550+ participants’ ages ranged from 4 to 79. Most runners were locals from Flathead Valley or across the state, with a handful of athletes from Idaho, Washington and Alberta, and a few from other states across the country.  

Full results and other information is available at runsignup.com/Race/MT/Whitefish/WhitefishTrailBlazer.

    Renae Parker of Clancy, Montana, finished in second place overall in the 50K and won the women's division in 4:46:37. (Photo provided)