First time's the charm
<p>Coeur d'Alene High School student Chandler Etheridge, 16, creating the winning design for this year's Spring Dash race.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - She's never run a race, but Chandler Etheridge is planning to do it for the first time Sunday at the 28th annual Spring Dash fundraiser in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
The 16-year-old Coeur d'Alene High School junior has some extra motivation to participate.
Etheridge created the winning design that will grace about 1,700 T-shirts for the race.
"I focused on the colors," Etheridge said.
The shirt is pale blue, with a silhouetted racer highlighted in green.
"That shows the energy of the runner," Etheridge said.
The runner's yellow footprints have spring flowers growing from them.
It's the first T-shirt Etheridge has designed, and the first art contest she has won.
Etheridge's design, chosen from about 40 submissions from students from area high schools, earned her a $100 savings bond from Bank of America, one of the race's sponsors.
The Spring Dash five-mile run begins at 9 a.m. Sunday.
It starts and finishes at Bank of America, 401 E. Front Ave.
The race is a fundraiser for United Way of Kootenai County and a qualifier for Bloomsday "second" seeding. The Bloomsday race takes place May 2 in Spokane.
About 1,500 people entered the Spring Dash in 2009 and the race raised about $20,000.
For kids age 10 and under, there is a race day Tot Trot at 8:15 a.m around McEuen Field. It is $5 and includes a T-Shirt.
"It's a real family affair," said Caryl Johnston, executive director of United Way of Kootenai County. "We've got some people who have done it for all 28 years."
It's not too late to sign up, Johnston said.
Registration continues 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Bank of America, 401 E. Front Ave., and 7-8 a.m. Sunday. The cost is $20.
For those already registered, race packets will be available for pickup during the Saturday and Sunday registration at the bank.