Long Bridge Half Marathon returns in May

SANDPOINT — The Long Bridge Half Marathon, which will also include 10K and 5K races, will take place at Sandpoint City Beach on Saturday, May 11 this year, and race directors are looking to develop some community partnerships before the event.

The event, in its second year since the Long Bridge Scenic Half dissolved, is hoping to make a connection with other community groups or individuals who want to help to support runners along the course.

“Whether it’s business entities or other groups who want to come together, they can promote what they do while helping us out with the race,” race director Ken Eldore said. “For example, we need turn monitors where four to five people from an office can wear their swag and make themselves visible to the community.”

Eldore said organizations/groups who decide to help out will be expected to commit to roughly three to four hours of volunteering. In addition to turn monitors, the race will also need volunteer crews to man water stations and help guide runners in other spots throughout the course.

This year, a portion of the race proceeds as well as all donations will go towards supporting the Sandpoint High cross country team. Eldore, along with Mike Ehredt, who is also a race director and the head coach of the Sandpoint High cross country team, are both large supporters of the area’s local youth runners — one reason why they decided to revive the event last September.

“Running was a huge part of my life and contributed to my success in life,” Eldore said. “Mike and I are both adamant about giving back to these goal-focused athletes.”

Eldore said that so far, registration is going well and the team has raised roughly $600 so far.

“I think it’s exciting that we have a venue we can offer for people to be able to run across the lake,” Eldore said. “I can only think of a few other races, like the Newport Marathon in Oregon, where you can run over a scenic bridge. There’s not many where you get a chance to do that, so that’s unique.”

If interested in signing up for this year’s race and for all additional information regarding start times, frequently asked questions, awards and race costs visit https://runsignup.com/Race/Info/ID/Sandpoint/LongBridgeHalfMarathon. If interested in volunteering as an individual or a group, contact priestlakeinfo@gmail.com.