A reunion for Donna

With his 20-year high school reunion approaching later this summer, former Lake City High running standout Charlie Miller got to thinking about his high school distance coach that made such a big impact on his life — and the lives of others.

Donna Messenger began coaching at Coeur d’Alene High in 1985, moved to Lake City when it opened in 1994, and coached cross country and track and field until retiring in 2007.

“What if we did a reunion for everyone that ran with Donna?” Miller thought. “She had quite an impact on a lot of athletes over the years. Why not do a reunion to celebrate her, and see old friends and meet new running alums.”

Miller, and a few others who were coached by Messenger, took that thought and ran with it.

The result is the Donna Messenger Running Reunion, scheduled for July 27-28 at Farragut State Park, where many of her former runners trained and competed.

A tentative schedule of activities includes a kids fun run the morning of July 27, followed by a “low-key” adult fun run, games and other activities in the afternoon, followed by a catered dinner and perhaps music from a live band.

A “bring your own” coffee and breakfast will wrap up the festivities on the morning of July 28.

Runners (and their families) who were coached by Messenger are invited. Also invited are coaches, as well as runners and coaches from other schools who competed against her teams.

Basically, anyone who might have been impacted by her.

“The more the merrier,” Miller said. “It’s just an opportunity for Donna to see all the athletes she got to coach over the years.”

Information can be found on Facebook (search Donna Messenger Running Reunion). Use the same search on eventbrite.com to register for the event, and pay for dinner, camping, commemorative T-shirt, etc.

Miller said overnighters can contact North Idaho College Outdoor Pursuits if they need to rent camping gear. People can show up as early as Friday night, July 26, he said. Those who don’t want to spend the night are welcome to just come out for the day on Saturday, he said.

“The biggest thing Donna did for us, she taught us that running and athletics was a lifestyle, not a temporary spot in time,” Miller said. “It was something you could enjoy throughout your life, and use as a healthy activity. She had such a focus on group dynamics, and helping us all come together and supporting each other, and the lifelong skill of conflict resolution, and being able to work as a team.”

Messenger would almost literally prefer to run from the limelight. But Miller said she was “actually really excited” to hear about the reunion, “not as much to focus on her, but to be able to catch up with so many of the people she’s coached over the years.”

This weekend, Miller said, Messenger is competing in a half-marathon in Missoula.

“I think she was say she’s slowed down, but by the average person’s standards, she has not slowed down,” Miller said.

Information: Charlie Miller, pedaltime@gmail.com; Josh Johnson, joshjohnsonslc@gmail.com