Regional Cross-Country Highlights
Cross-Country Teams and Trail Runners Deliver Strong Performances Across Multiple Regional Events
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The Whitefish Trail Blazer is a fundraiser for Whitefish Legacy Partners, the nonprofit responsible for developing the Whitefish Trail. The 50K course will summit Big Mountain, descend to the Reservoir Trailhead and return to Whitefish Mountain Resort’s village.
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The Whitefish 50K is designed to offer spectators multiple viewing opportunities: runners will pass through the start-finish area in front of the Hellroaring Saloon four times, with live music and food and drinks available at the resort village.
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At the Mountain West Classic, Cut Bank junior Stella Wahl finished the 5K in 21:51 among 893 girls, while eighth-grader Lauryn Hedges and freshmen Kimber Heagy and Ellie Sommers posted notable improvements, including personal bests for Heagy and Sommers.
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The Mountain West Classic boys’ race marked a milestone for Cut Bank freshman Oscar Gannon, who ran 20:33 and led the Wolves across the finish line for the first time after moving up late in the race.
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Melville Koppies’ self-timed run is part of a broader schedule of public activities, including Sunday opening hours, an 8-kilometer group hike on the last Sunday of each month, storytelling on the second Sunday and self-guided walks; all income supports maintenance of the site.
Cross-country runners from Montana to South Africa raced to strong finishes this fall, with Summit High School's boys posting a perfect team score at the Eagle Valley Invitational while Cut Bank's freshman Oscar Gannon led his squad for the first time at the Mountain West Classic. Beyond the track, organizers are expanding access to trail running and hiking across multiple regions, from newly built paths in Whitefish, Montana, to community events in South Africa.
Whitefish Trail Blazer Offers 50K Through Big Mountain
Whitefish, Montana will host its annual Trail Blazer races on October 3-4, featuring distances from a family fun run to a full 50K. Organizers say the 50K course will summit Big Mountain, descend to the Reservoir Trailhead, and return to Whitefish Mountain Resort's village. The race serves as a fundraiser for Whitefish Legacy Partners, the nonprofit building and maintaining the Whitefish Trail network.
The event is designed for spectator access. Runners will pass through the start-finish area in front of the Hellroaring Saloon four times during the 50K, with live music, food, and drinks available at the resort village. This marks the debut of newly built Whitefish Trail sections and comes as the recently opened Whitefish Legacy Center opens its doors to the public.
Summit Boys Dominate Eagle Valley, Steamboat Girls Win
Summit High School's boys cross-country team delivered a dominant performance at the Eagle Valley Cross Country Invitational, posting a perfect team score. The girls squad, however, fell to a strong Steamboat Springs team on a rain-softened course, finishing second in a competitive field.
The Invitational showcased regional talent from across Colorado's mountain communities. Summit's boys' perfect score reflects consistent runner performances, while the girls' second-place finish still demonstrates strong execution despite challenging weather and track conditions.
Cut Bank Freshman Gannon Leads Pack at Mountain West Classic
At Montana's Mountain West Classic, which drew nearly 90 schools, Cut Bank's runners turned in solid performances. Junior Stella Wahl finished the 5K in 21:51 among 893 competing girls, while eighth-grader Lauryn Hedges and freshmen Kimber Heagy and Ellie Sommers posted notable improvements, with Heagy and Sommers recording personal bests.
On the boys' side, freshman Oscar Gannon ran 20:33 and led Cut Bank across the finish line for the first time after moving up late in the race. The milestone marks a significant achievement for the young runner and signals strength in Cut Bank's program depth going forward.
South African Trail Run Draws 100 Participants, Supports Maintenance
Melville Koppies in South Africa hosted more than 100 participants in a self-timed trail run, with all proceeds supporting site maintenance. The self-timed format allows runners to start whenever they choose, making the event accessible to various fitness levels and schedules.
The run is part of a broader public activity schedule at Melville Koppies. Organizers offer Sunday opening hours, an 8-kilometer group hike on the last Sunday of each month, storytelling on the second Sunday, and self-guided walks. Every dollar earned from these activities goes directly toward maintaining the property's trails and facilities.
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