Half marathon

Polson Running group warms up cold season with fun run

By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal

POLSON — Polson Running will be defying the cold later this month with the Sorry ‘Bout That half marathon and team relay on Jan. 21 at 9:30 a.m.

The 10th anniversary of Sorry ‘Bout That race will run clockwise on the route this year, meaning there will be both an uphill start and an uphill finish. Beginning at Mission Valley Aquatics, those who arrive to run wearing a costume will be given a 30 second head start. With decorated aid stations and T-shirts for runners, Polson Running makes it a point to make Sorry ‘Bout That a fun event for the community and participants.

“(The run) is supposed to keep people motivated when the weather starts getting bad,” Polson Running board member Lauren Arnold laughed. “We try to make it super fun. People wear costumes; our aid stations have themes.”

Arnold and her husband have been involved in Polson Running since her husband signed them up eight years ago, and have been with the organization ever since. “My husband and I both run. There’s a pretty decent running community in Polson really, some fairly competitive runners,” she commented.

The local nonprofit, Polson Running, puts on races throughout the year designed to raise money for other nonprofits. Polson Running provides the framework for businesses to put on races with their own volunteers, such as the Turkey Trot that raises money for the Polson food bank. The Sorry ‘Bout That run, however, acts as a sort of fundraiser for Polson Running itself. Though no one with Polson Running brings home an income from the nonprofit, Arnold explained the funds brought in go toward overhead costs like insurance and other necessities for the group to put on races year-round.

A popular race that brings in travelers every year, Arnold said as far as she’s aware Sorry ‘Bout That has never been cancelled for the weather. The race offers a relay division for those who don’t want to take on the half marathon. While people typically have teams of four, Arnold said, teams with other numbers of participants are allowed. “We’re pretty flexible because it’s mostly about having fun,” Arnold explained. As long as people find their own teammates to switch out and can drive themselves to the relay stations, she doesn’t anticipate objections.

“I’m always impressed at how many people get out in these winter conditions and actually have a good time,” Arnold said. “It really can be quite cold, and we’ve had years where it’s been sort of extreme, and everybody has fun … I’m just always impressed by our participants and how much fun they have and what they make of the race. I think it’s really neat.”

Packet pickup for Sorry ‘Bout That will be available the day of the race on Jan. 23. Those interested in finding out future events, connecting with other runners to form running groups in town, or who even want to learn more about volunteering to help at future races, can do so by reaching out to Polson Running via Facebook. Arnold invited nonprofits interested in working with them in the future to do the same at: facebook.com/polsonrunning

COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY PHOTO

COURTESY PHOTO