Get ready Jackasses

KELLOGG — Calling all Jackasses, it’s time to get registered for your favorite Silver Valley half-marathon and 5K event.

Well… It may be the only event of its kind, but nonetheless it’s time to reserve your spot.

The popular fall race event has steadily grown over its first two years and has become something of a premier event in Shoshone County as runners from all over the region make their way into town for one of the more scenic 13.1 runs out there.

So far, more than 13 different states are being represented in this year’s race and the 600-racer cap is already half full.

Organizers have really opened up the event for everyone to participate in some form or fashion including the half-marathon, a 5K, as well as a kids half-marathon where they will track themselves running 12 miles prior to the event and then on race day they will run a final mile to officially cross the finish line with the rest of their fellow jackasses.

Event organizer Kelton Enich and her race committee have worked hard to find a system that works and as they’ve fine tuned their efforts, they have made one slightly significant change.

“We are going to shift the entire start schedule one-to-two hours later in the morning so our runners don't have to battle with the cold morning weather,” Enich said. “Rather than starting at 7:30 (a.m.), our start time will be around 9 or 9:30 (a.m.) in Wallace. We are hoping to get more Wallace businesses involved at the start line to provide quick breakfast or coffee options. We also plan to shift the afterparty at the finish line earlier in the day. Rather than have the party start at 4 or 5 (p.m.), we will have live music, food vendors, our shirt press by Traveling T, and free participant beers available right when runners cross the finish line.”

Enich has also once again engineered a few preparatory events that will take place over the next few months to help runners get ready for the event.

The Jackass Jaunts are four different community walking events that will be hosted by local businesses throughout the summer months.

“We started this program last year and it was a huge hit,” Enich said. “These are open to anyone who wants to run or walk a 5K and then mingle and celebrate afterwards.”

The final addition to the event is probably Enich’s favorite — likely because she’s a teacher, but who’s speculating — the new Jackass Scholarship.

“We created two scholarships for local seniors amounting to $3,000,” Enich said. “One scholarship will be awarded to a local high school track or cross country runner and the other will be given to an exemplary high school volunteer. Applications are due on May 1 and can be found on our website. We really want this event to give back to our community and we thought these scholarships are a great first step to doing that.”

An event like this one simply couldn’t happen without community support and the Jackass Half-Marathon has quite a bit of that.

Enich would like to thank their title sponsors Local Real Estate and Verdis Engineering, as well as the countless volunteers who come out to help run the event.

The Jackass Jaunts are scheduled for June 21 (hosted by Prospect Fitness Studio), July 19 (hosted by Sol & Serre in Wallace), Sept. 20 (hosted by Local Real Estate in Coeur d'Alene), and Aug. 16, which is at a to-be-determined location.

The Jackass Half-Marathon & 5K is Oct. 1, and early bird registration closes on May 8.

Information on registration, volunteering and the Jackass Scholarships can found at raceroster.com/events/2022/57000/2022-jackass-half-marathon-and-5k.