Actually, it was a great first week in my tenure here at Run Wild Missoula and the Missoula Marathon. It all kicked off with having the pleasure of hosting the Tread Of The Undead Zombie Run 5.5K on Sunday, September 21st. And, it continued into the Tuesday Night Track workout at the U of M golf course. Had a blast at both events and got to meet lots of great runners and walkers. In between, was able to work on getting ready to roll out registration for the 2015 Missoula Marathon; kick off registration for the Mt. Jumbo Elk Ramble 15K; and, see the excitement build for this year's Diva Day. How could it not be a great week with all of that going on.

Read more here about Tony's first week, his passion for running and . Run Wild Missoula.

Missoula All Women's 5K Run on Diva Day: October 4

by Sue Falsey, Diva Day Race Director

Online registration ends noon Oct 2. After that you can register in person at packet pickup on Friday (Community Medical Center--Gallagher Room) or on site Saturday by 9am.

Women of Run Wild! Let's get the registrations on the move, then you can practice your own moves for Diva Day. This year we head to the starting line on Oct 4, 2014, same place: Community Medical Center; same time: 9:30 am.

You can even get there earlier because Community Medical Center is springing for pre-race coffee! This is a great race to bring your friends and introduce them to the fun of running, especially fun with your buddies. All the info is on our web page, links right off the main page. This year the membership discount is applied if you are signed in to runwildmissoula.org as a member, so make sure you do that before you go to the registration page here.

In addition to the fun and fantastic expo/party/food, registration includes chip timing and a sweet wrist wallet by Wahine Sports, designed just for Diva Day. Plus awards: Diva Ball - for top 3 overall, top 3 masters, top team and overall diva diva; Necklaces - top 3 in each age group and top 3 masters (not in age group awards).

Diva Ball

Wrist Wallet

Necklace

Pumpkin Run: October 19

by Ben Schmidt, Race Director

19th Annual Pumpkin Run at the Osprey Baseball Stadium. Overall winner is the first prime number to precede the prime number 113! (This would be 109)

If possible, the Pumpkin Run 400 meter and 5K will again finish at Home Plate in the Osprey Baseball Stadium. Race day registration starting at 8:35 AM is also at the Osprey Baseball Stadium. We are still looking for a cloister of monks to perform Gregorian Chants; I may get back to you on that later. The 5k run will be chipped timed this year. We are still debating whether it should be deer or bear chips and how big an hour glass is needed for this type of timing?

This is a fund raiser for the Missoula Food Bank. Since this is an international event, feel free to invite any Kenyans, Elves, Romulans, etc that may be in town to participate. On-line registration is super easy at www.runwildmissoula.org. Read more here about the fun at the Pumpkin Run.

Mt. Jumbo Elk Ramble: November 8

by Anna Davis, RWM Member

Run Wild Missoula's New Fall Race Will Take You Places You've Never Raced Before!

Registration is open for the 2014 Mount Jumbo Elk Ramble being held on November 8, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. This 15 kilometer run is your unique opportunity to take part in the first ever organized trail run on City Open Space in the Mount Jumbo Wildlife Management Area. The run will also cross Montana FWP and U.S. Forest Service land. The race start and finish will take place at the MCPS soccer fields off of Lincoln Hills Drive in the Rattlesnake.

Click here to read more about this great new run!

View From The Back: Center of the Nation Series

by Nathan Howard and Julie Chandler, Members BOP

BOP color-black

After hearing stories about the Mainly Marathons Center of the Nation Series from Pam Gardiner and Darlene McLuskie last year, Julie and I decided to try to run the series this year.

The Center of the Nation (CON) Series is 5 Half or Full Marathons in 5 states in 5 days. This year it was in Baker MT, Bowman ND, Belle Fourche SD, Sundance WY, and Chadron NE. We have both run/ walked a few half marathons a year, for the past few years. We were not up to running a full Marathon. We thought running several half marathons would be a fun challenge. The CON turned out to be quite BOP friendly.

Read here from Nathan and Julie about the runs. Also, visit http://mainlymarathons.com/ to see all the series runs across the country.

Tread of the Undead 5.5K: Race Report

by Thurston Elfstrom, RWM Member

The warm sunny day belied the human devastation as a handful of humans survived the zombie outbreak at Fort Missoula.

New RWM Executive Director, Tony Banovich presided as master of ceremonies as 300 humans and almost 100 zombies came together to actively have fun. Other highlights included a smashing zombie dance to the classic 'Monster Mash' and a zombie band, Marie South, rocking out on the course for runners and walkers.

When the outbreak was over, humans and zombies shared post-race snacks and beverages while best costume and door prizes were awarded, (prizes provided by The Source, Runner's Edge, Amy Lewis Designs, Draught Works Brewery, Brett Nailon Design and Rebecca Collinson.)

Finally, the race directors would like to extend a huge thanks to all of the volunteers that made the event possible.

Member Spotlight: Kevin Plumage

by Terry Stekly, RWM Member

Name: Kevin Plumage

Age: 45

Place of birth: Rollette, ND

Occupation: Realtor/Title Boxing Club Trainer

What fostered your interest in running? I attended grade school in Browning back in their power house XC years and wanted to be able to run like the big guys.

What's your next race? I am working for the Montana Cup coming up here in Missoula.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment? I am proud of the fact I was able to successfully pace the 3:10 group for the Missoula Marathon.

Do you have any advice for other runners? Stay consistent, Stay positive and just enjoy the fact you are able to run.

If you were a super hero, what kind of powers would you have? I would have the ability to understand what dogs are saying when they are barking. Weird, YES, but I have always been curious about what they are talking about.

Anything else that you would like others to know about you? I am certified in Mittology. What is Mittology? Stop by Title Boxing Club and let me show you what it is.

Around Town

Bike/Walk/Bus Week, beginning Sunday September 28. See web link to an online version of the brochure through the Missoula In Motion website. The following link displays the weeklong and daily events and activities. http://www.missoulainmotion.com/bwbw

Also, don't forget to like the Bike Walk Bus Week facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bikewalkbusweek?ref=hl

Parks and Trails Bond, Missoula, November 4. At the request of local citizens, businesses,and community leaders, the Missoula County Commissioners have placed a measure on the November ballot that would authorize a $42 million, 20-year general obligation bond for the development parks and trails throughout Missoula County, including the development of Fort Missoula Regional Park. The average cost to homeowners would be approximately $3 per month over the life of the bond. Run Wild Missoula encourages its members to learn more about the bond measure in order to make a sound and reasoned decision at the ballot box. More information can be found on the Citizens for Parks and Trails website at http://www.forparksandtrails.org/. Missoula County produced a FAQ sheet about the bond initiative that can be found at: http://www.co.missoula.mt.us/mccaps/ParksTrails/2014-07-07_ParksTrailProposal_FAQ.pdf

Run for the Health of It, Missoula, November 8, 10:00 a.m., The Woman's Club. Benefit Montana Cancer Screening Program. Register online and/or print off a registration form at www.thewomensclub.co

First Annual Run for Freedom, Missoula, December 7, 2014, 10:00 a.m. McCormick Park. This 5K Run/Walk benefits the Montana Anti-Trafficking Project. Registration is available online at montanaantitraffickingproject.com and https://runsignup.com/Race/MT/Missoula/RunforFreedom5KRunWalk, or onsite the morning of the race. For question contact mtatproject@gmail.com and visit montanaantitraffickingproject.com

Run Wild,

Chris Everett, Running Wild Newsletter Editor

P.S. Unsubscribing to this email won't eliminate you from receiving emails about volunteer opportunities.

Missoula Marathon has a Facebook page too!