Four schools in x-country jamboree

BONNERS FERRY — Four schools and more than 75 runners participated in the inaugural Bonners Ferry cross-country jamboree last Thursday near McArthur Lake.

Runners from Bonners Ferry, Priest River, Lake City, and Timberlake tested their pre-season fitness on a race course that featured a gravel road and rolling sand hills, and which finished in Jeff and Karen Perkins’ front yard.

Melody Braden, who ran for Bonners Ferry High School (BFHS) from 2004-2008 and who is helping with the high school program this year, stated, “It’s a great chance to get rid of the early season nerves.”

The run provided race-paced competition without results, which allowed beginners to gain experience but still provided the spectacle of strategic racing and some photo-finishes.

Part of the fun came in the form of pancakes and fruit, as the race was billed as the “Flapjack Jamboree.”

The après party afforded students and community members the opportunity to enjoy a meal and some conversation. With no official places, times, or scores, athletes were able to gauge their abilities against their teammates, themselves, and interscholastic rivals in an informal manner.

“Our team was mixing it up in the race, which was encouraging to see; we had some solid first performances. However, I really appreciate the jamboree philosophy,” Bonnell said.

“We’ll be seeing scores soon enough. I enjoyed watching the athletes from different teams mingling after the race. I’m grateful that Jeff and Karen wanted to host this event at their home.”

Volunteers from Mountain Springs Church, the Perkins’ Doe Road neighborhood, and the Kootenai River Run helped make the jamboree possible.

Super 1 Foods donated supplies for the post-race “breakfast.”

Tom Oxford settled the dust with his water truck. Teams brought potluck items.

The Far North Logo Shop designed and made shirts for the run. Music boomed over the Perkins’ front lawn.

BFHS junior Bradley Thompson wore a wool poncho. Athletes took on the challenge of the roughly 4.7 kilometer course, complete with a single-track sand climb. Impromptu games started up after the pancakes and watermelon.

“It’s so beautiful here,” a Lake City parent said and Kootenai River Run race director Jim “Bird” Cadnum noted, “It looks like people are having a good time.”

Perhaps Jeff and Karen’s son Alec, who is a senior at Bonners Ferry High School, summed it up best, “Can we have the jamboree here again next year?”