Run for the money

By Patrick Hannigan

One hundred eighty runners raised over $900 for the Partnership for a Sustainable Methow this past Saturday (April 11) at the first Sun Mountain Run.

Proceeds from the race, which included various distances from a 1-kilometer kids’ run to a 50K race for the most ambitious were donated to the PSM. 

Due to lingering snow and ice on some of the trails around Sun Mountain, the final running routes were decided just two days before the race. Even so, a couple miles of the courses had patchy snow and ice. 

The 50K included three loops from the ridge above Sun Mountain Lodge, down to Patterson Lake, and up to the top of Patterson Mountain. That made for six climbs of around 1,000 vertical feet each. 

“I’m sure some of the runners had some choice words for me the third time they were running up Patterson Mountain,” said James Varner. “But there were some great views  – hopefully they didn’t mind seeing those views six times.”

Of the 62 runners that set out to complete the 31-mile course, 52 finished. There were rewards for persisting: At the end of the course the racers got to indulge in a meal of pizza and beer. 

For complete race results and finish times, visit www.rainshadow-running.blogspot.com. 

Photo by Patrick Hannigan
Alison Hanks of Winthop makes her way over a fence on her second trip up Patterson Mountain. Hanks  ended up quitting the 50K (31-mile) race after 21 miles due to sore feet.