So Many Reasons to Run for the Luck of It!

By JEN VON SEHLEN

On Saturday, March 10th, Run Wild Missoula presents the third annual Run for the Luck of It! 7-Mile, 5K, and Kids’ Dash.

While this article should be mainly focused on the upcoming race, I would first like to take this opportunity to touch on one of the many reasons why I love being a volunteer race director for Run Wild Missoula. To witness hundreds of excited people embark on a 5K or 7-mile race that I helped create is an incredibly rewarding experience.

Everyone has their reasons for participating in the Run for the Luck of It! and some many overlap. Whatever their reasons, I am thrilled they get up early on a Saturday morning, don all the green in their wardrobe, become Irish for the day, get engaged in their community, and most importantly, do something good for themselves.

As someone who did not become a runner until my mid-twenties, it was participating in a small, local 5K several years ago (my first ever) that kicked off my transformation into the avid runner I am today. If you’re not the most seasoned of runners, like I used to be, registering for a short-distance race, such as a 5K, is a fantastic way for you to commit yourself to your health. In doing so, you’re making a promise to yourself that you will exercise. And, guess what? You’re going to have a lot of fun doing it.

And I, like many runners I know, practice what I preach. I participate in some kind of race just about every month. If I happen to miss a month, I surely make up for it another month and run two races. Even though I am committed to running for the sheer health of it, I still enjoy the races.

Sometimes I really do run them just for fun, the social aspect of it, and for a little extra motivation (uh hem, Snow Joke a couple of weeks ago was not my best, but I got out there and did it and definitely don’t regret it). Then there are other races for which I train hard and have an all out competition with myself. Afterwards, I feel completely spent and…awesome for giving it my all! And, of course, I run races to support a local organization or cause – my community.

I could write for paragraphs on this topic, but in striving for brevity, I will get to the details of a very fun run in which anyone can participate, one that gives you many reasons to get up and go for a run!

The Run for the Luck of It! offers both a 5K and a 7-Miler! This is the first year for the 7-Mile race and provides a little extra challenge for those weary of 5Ks. So, if you’re in search of something a little out of the ordinary, give the 7-Miler a try.

Both races start and end downtown, on Pine Street, in front of Sean Kelly’s. Both courses are fun and definitely different from any other Missoula races.

All race participants receive a technical tee that can be worn on race day in case anyone actually forgets to wear green because, yeah, it’s green (but, I have to say, “shame!” if you don’t arrive race day clad in green!).

Participants are also treated to homemade stew and Irish soda bread, compliments of Sean Kelly’s and, for those 21 and older, one free Highlander Beer compliments of Missoula Brewing Co. (Bring your ID if you plan to partake.)

Sports beverages, water, and other snacks are also provided. Live music will get runners pumped as they toe the start line, too!

Both races will be chip-timed this year by Competitive Timing and the top-finishers (3-deep) in each age group will receive a prize. We will also be giving away donated prizes to our most spirited participants.

The FREE kids’ dash is back again this year. Parents can register their lads and lassies at packet pick-up on Friday or on race day morning. Kiddos will dash down Pine Street after the 7-milers take off, around 8:50 am.

Online registration closes March 8th, but you can still drop off your registration form at the Runner’s Edge or swing by during packet pick-up at the Runner’s Edge on Friday, March 9 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm to get registered. Race day registration and packet pick-up will also take place at the Runner’s Edge from 7:00 to 8:30 am. 5K pre-registered participants have until 9:00 am to pick-up their packets. Because this is a chip-timed event, race day registration closes at 8:30 am sharp!

Complete race details can be found on the Run Wild Missoula website.

By now, I hope I’ve given you a few reasons to do a race this month, perhaps the Run for the Luck of It!

I know I can’t wait to see everyone out there on Saturday morning, having a great time all while getting in a healthy dose of exercise.

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Without the help of dozens of volunteers and support of our sponsors this race would not be possible!

Thank you to: Sean Kelly’s – A Public House, Valley Physical Therapy, Olsen & Peters Family Dental, Runner’s Edge, Exact Image, Mountain Broadcasting, Missoula Brewing Co., Garlington, Lohn, and Robinson, Pepsi, and Culligan Water

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Stay in the loop with Missoula’s running community! Check out the Run/Walk It archives for more posts from Eva and other Missoula runners and walkers.

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A native of Arizona, Jen von Sehlen is a Missoula transplant of almost 10 years. She has been an avid runner for over five years and a volunteer with Run Wild Missoula for four. In 2010, she convinced her good friend Maggie Wescott to organize a new RWM race with her: the Run for the Luck of It! Together, each March, they rally dozens of awesome volunteers to help them put on a sham-tastic race that supports runners and walkers of all abilities.