'Dash' delivers
Brenna Cowan of Coeur d'Alene charges to the finish line of the Spring Dash 5k on Saturday at McEuen Park.
BILL BULEY/Press
Runners make their way along the North Idaho Centennial Trail with Lake Coeur d'Alene in the background during the Spring Dash on Saturday.
Three generations come together at the Spring Dash on Saturday. John Giesen is joined by daughter Brenna Cowan and grandchildren Emmett and Huxley at the finish line at McEuen Park.
Troy Braga of Coeur d'Alene leads the Spring Dash half marathon on Mullan Avenue on Saturday.
Colin Livingston, winner of the Spring Dash 10k, holds children Finn, left, and Graham after finishing at McEuen Park on Saturday.
Finisher medals for the Spring Dash await on a table at McEuen Park.
Runners finish the Spring Dash on Saturday at McEuen Park.
John Mark Porter sprints to the Spring Dash finish line.
Spring Dash runners head toward the turnaround point on the North Idaho Centennial Trail on Saturday.
Scott Cooley, who finished second in the Spring Dash half marathon, runs on the North Idaho Centennial Trail on Saturday.
COEUR d’ALENE — At 85, John Giesen isn’t as fast as he was in his younger days, when he ran marathons and triathlons.
And it had been more than 30 years since he last raced.
But on Saturday, he returned to competition in the Spring Dash 5k.
“A lot of people were passing me. That didn’t used to happen,” he said, smiling.
The longtime Hayden resident, wearing a shirt that read, “Coeur d’Alene Marathon canceled due to volcanic ash from Mount St. Helens,” finished in 45 minutes and 24 seconds.
He was pleased that he never stopped running.
“I was looking at a lot of backsides, but I jogged the whole way. I never walked,” he said.
Three generations of Giesens participated in the Spring Dash that started and ended at McEuen Park on a warm, sunny morning. Daughter Brenna Cowan finished the 5k and grandchildren Emmett, 6, and Huxley, 4, completed the Tot Trot.
Cowan said she’s been running the Spring Dash since she was little, something she picked up from her father.
While she liked the course, she didn’t feel great at the finish line.
“Terrible,” she said. “I haven’t been running at all.”
But her kids did well, Cowan said, and she was proud of her father.
"It’s incredible,” she said.
Nearly 1,000 runners and walkers came out for the 41st annual event that benefits the United Way of North Idaho.
Gone was the traditional 5-miler, replaced by a half marathon, 10k and 5k. The Tot Trot attracted about 100 kids.
Mark Tucker, United Way of North Idaho executive director, said a partnership with Cascadia Timing raised the quality and the quantity of the event.
“It’s wonderful,” he said. "I know people love it for the running, but we try to share our message and appreciate the support.”
Troy Braga of Coeur d’Alene won the half marathon in 1:28:18, holding off Scott Cooley of Spokane, who was second in 1:28:45.
“Days like this are awesome when the fast guys don’t show up,” Braga said. “It’s nice when the slow guys get a little podium glory.”
He said he felt good until about mile 9 but continued to push a fast pace because Cooley was close.
“I knew he was chasing,” Braga said.
Cooley said it was a good day.
“It was like it was downhill the whole way,” he said. “That was fun.”
He said he tried to catch Braga.
“He slowed down a little bit, but so did I,” Cooley said.
Colin Livingston, a Lake City High School grad and Coeur d’Alene resident, won the 10k in 35:05.
“A little warm,” he said, holding sons Finn and Graham. “Kind of a shock to everybody.”
John Mark Porter of Cheney, Wash., was visiting Saturday when he saw the Spring Dash crowd at McEuen Park.
Wearing a three-piece, red plaid suit and black dress shoes, he hurried over and registered at about 8:40 for the 10k that started at 8:45.
He started a few minutes late and still finished in 50:18.
“If I had more time and knew about this I would have swapped out my shoes for my Hokas,” he said.
Porter said he wears his bright and colorful outfit because it makes people smile.
“I like to see people happy,” he said. “Kind of giving out that positive vibe.”
The only downside: Porter's dress shoes were not exactly comfortable for a race.
“The price has been paid, I have blisters now," he said. "But I am definitely happy."
