Nothing beats being a Jackass

KELLOGG –– Being called a jackass isn’t usually something that folks aspire for – but in Kellogg it’s worn like a badge of honor.

More than 600 people participated in the fourth annual Jackass Half-Marathon & 5K race this past weekend and this one went so well that it might’ve broken the mold.

“We had an amazing turn-out,” race organizer Kelton Enich said. “I've heard a lot of people say that they think it was the best Jackass ever, and I would agree from a race-director perspective.”

A near 80º day made for perfect race conditions – far from the rainy October days that the area is accustomed to. Runners had sunny skies to go along with the beautiful fall scenery as they navigated the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes.

Unlike previous years where the race began with a rolling start, this year they opted to try a mass start beneath I-90 in Wallace – however, in order to pull this off there were a few logistical hurdles that they had to overcome.

“This meant that we needed to get all 450 half-marathon runners shuttled up to Wallace in time for the 9:30 a.m. start,” Enich told the News-Press. “Sarah Murphy with Sol and Serre made our start line so much fun while runners waited; she brought in hot coffee and snacks from the Tin Snug, a "glitter bar," temporary Jackass tattoos, a Zumba warm-up, and fun music. There aren't a lot of races in our area that are point-to-point (rather than an out-and-back or a loop), so getting this start line right was really important for us.”

Enich and her crew of volunteers have been working diligently to make the event have a similar vibe as the annual Bloomsday race in Spokane.

Almost 200 racers opted to compete in the 5K portion of the race as opposed to the 13.1-mile half-marathon, making this the biggest event to date.

The Jackass has become a bit of a phenomenon as an attraction – while a large number of the racers call Idaho home, more than half of them made their way here from other states and even other countries.

“We had so many families and groups of friends travel from all over the country and Canada, to treat this like a destination weekend,” Enich said.

Beside Idaho, Washington, and Montana, states such as Utah, New York, Minnesota, Maryland, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Nevada, Illinois, Georgia, Florida, California, Arkansas, Alaska, and Florida were all represented – with Orlando, Florida being the furthest from the Silver Valley. Eight runners came down from British Columbia, Canada.

One of the unintended consequences of the new mass-start format was that a number of racers finished with incredibly fast times – including some new records being set.

Lewiston’s Clayton VanDyke shattered the previous men’s record by 12 minutes with his time of 1:09:34. Four-time female champion Kai Sharbano of Spokane, beat her own course record and with a 1:18:34.

The fastest runners from the Silver Valley were Jake Newburn from Kingston, who finished with a 1:36:42, while Heidi Brackebush from Kellogg, ran a 1:48:07.

An event with so many participants requires a sturdy volunteer force in order to pull off and Enich believes that she had one of the best this past weekend.

“The biggest highlight this year – just like every year, was our massive volunteer support,” she stated. “Like I've said in the past, we really do have the best volunteer energy of any race in our area. We had about 100 volunteers stationed all the way along the trail from Wallace to Kellogg. Our aid station business sponsors really made our aid stations unique this year. Silver Legacy Realty fashioned the Silverton aid station as a "Saloon" complete with two local singers on guitars. Prospect Fitness created a Mario Kart aid station in Osburn, and Vers Fitness rocked the 5K start line clad in full denim.”

These aid stations provided runners with everything from fluids to potential first-aid assistance, and of course, plenty of motivation.

Crossing the finish line as a Jackass is rewarding on its own – but that’s also where the annual Jackass After Party begins. You get your medal, you get a free beer from event sponsor Radio Brewing, and then you party with everyone else who braved the Jackass Half-Marathon & 5K.

“This race would not be possible without our amazing volunteer committee who works all year on putting it together: Sarah Murphy, Tara Lodi, Justin Cline, and Scott Albrethsen,” Enich said. “The popularity of our race is growing, and we can't wait to start planning our fifth Jackass Half Marathon for next year, which will likely take place on October 5, 2024.”