Fun run calls in superheroes
to the rescue
Linda Sappington
Cheetah” Lucy Montague, 5, speeds through the 1-mile course Sunday, and earns the best female superhero award.
Linda Sappington
Cole “Captain America” McCrea earned a “best caped” prize.
Linda Sappington
Linda Sappington/Valley Journal Alexa, Alvie and Tiffani Kinaman, from left, tied for the best family award during Sunday’s fun run in Ronan
Linda Sappington
Superwoman” Shauna Wise completes the 5K event that benefits parks and outdoor activities
Linda Sappington
Linda Sappington
Linda Sappington
Linda Sappington
Linda Sappington
Linda Sappington
Linda Sappington
Linda Sappington
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A cheetah was seen running across Mission Mountain Golf Course Sunday afternoon, but luckily Superman, Captain America and the Caped Crusader were on hand to give chase.
It was all in good fun as children, families and schools came together to raise funding to enhance healthy outdoor activities at schools, parks and trails.
The Super Hero Fun Run that offered a 1-mile fun run plus a more competitive 5K was organized by Friends of Regional Parks and Trails, known as FORPAT.
Haylee Walchuk was the first to cross the line in the mile, followed by Hannah Rowe, Danill Moore and Kelsey Gillin. All four young ladies were rewarded with a backpack of goodies.
Gillin ran with Nichole Koehler. The friends said they plan to run cross-country in middle school and love to “be active, and together,” Koehler added.
Running is a family affair for the Koehlers. Older brother Danny, 17, placed first overall in the 5K with a time of 20:31, followed by his brother Andrew Koehler, 18, in third place at 23:19. The brothers edged out their Ronan High School cross-country coach, Noelle Decker, who crossed the line in 24:08 to place first for the women.
Valley View School brought about 15 elementary students for the run, nearly half of the student body in the rural two-room schoolhouse. Moms Aphia Fisher and Angelika Sloan created capes for each of them, and students added their own super hero touches.
Two families tied for best dressed Superheroes. Superman Alvie and Superwoman Tiffani Kinaman crossed the course with their super daughter, Alexa — who ran the entire mile without stopping until they all crossed the balloon-arched finish line.
“Alexa saw those balloons and hit another gear,” dad Alvie said.
Aaron and Victoria Vizcarra and family tied the Kinaman’s for best dressed.
“I love that the families are running together,” FORPAT volunteer Eleanor Vizcarra said.
Best-dressed awards were presented to “Caped” winners Hannah Rowe and “Captain Cancer Kicker” Koda King. King, 8, finished the 5K run in first for his age group with a 31:55 run.
Best dressed Superheroes were Tyler Gillin and Cole McCrea. Best female superhero went to the super-fast cheetah, 5-year-old Luca Montague.
Shauna Wise finished the 5K in seventh place overall for women. The run was a personal victory for her after losing more than 100 pounds.
“As of Sept. 1, I couldn’t even run for 30 seconds without stopping,” she said. Since then she’s been training with a goal of completing a half-marathon in June.
The turnout and sponsorships for the second annual run surpassed the expectations of FORPAT’s Jennifer Rolfsness. Each year FORPAT plans to hold a fun run in a different community of the Mission Valley. The 501(c) 3 group has already helped fund playground equipment at St. Ignatius and Dixon schools and continues to seek funding for projects through grants and generous sponsors.
5k results
Men
1- Danny Koehler, Ronan, 20:31
2- Troy Matt, Mission, 21:08 (First, age 11-15)
3- Andrew Koehler, Ronan, 23:19
4- Aaron Vizcarra, Yakima, Washington, 24:05 (First, age 21-30)
5- Robert Dempsey, Mission, 25:47.00
6- Mason Sloan, Ronan, 25:47.01
7- Ryan Sloan, Ronan, 26:31
8- Bud Collicot, Ronan, 26:58
9- Koda King, Ronan, 31:55 (First, age 7-10)
10- Justin Fisher, Polson, 33:32
11- Maleck Crist, Ronan, 37:47
12- Lachlan Slaon, Rona, 38:12
Women
1- Noelle Decker, Ronan, 24:08
2- Gwen Seeley, Polson, 24:11 (First, age 11-15)
3- Laura Arvidson, Polson, 26:20 (First, age 21-30)
4- Claire Crist, Ronan, 32:02 (First, age 7-10)
5- Steph Gillin, Ronan, 33:15 (First, age 31-40)
6- Aphia Fisher, Polson, 38:26
7- Shauna Wise, Ronan, 39:42
8- Kaydence Couture, Ronan, 39:58
9- Lena Baertsch, Ronan, 41:23
10- Victoria Vizcarra, Yakima, Wash., 44:01
11- Kayla Couture, Ronan, 45:26
12- Lily Crist, Ronan, 46:28 (First, age 16-20)
13- Sally Crist, Ronan, 46:29
14- Angelika Sloan, Ronan, 48:04
15- Joan Graham, Ronan, 1:02:46.00
16- Carey Swanberg, Ronan, 1:02:46.22
17- Andrea Rumen, Ronan, 1:02:46.25
