Fans Show Support For Trail
Just call it tough love for the Centennial Trail.
Hundreds of people will pound, ride and gallop over the trail today to show their support for it.
The group Friends of the Centennial Trail is holding fun runs, horseback rides and a walk in honor of Trail Day ‘95 across America. All events are non-competitive.
About 300 people registered to participate by Friday. More could register today.
“They love the trail,” said Stevie Johnston, of the Friends’ office. “This is one way they’ve found to support it.”
The three fun runs range from five to 18 miles. One five-mile run starts at 10 a.m. The other five-mile run and the 18-mile trek start at 8 a.m.
The 10-kilometer walk starts at 9 a.m., from the Marriott Courtyard to Spokane Community College and back. Canoes will start paddling at 9 a.m. at Upriver Dam. Horseback riding starts at 10 a.m., from State Line Road to Barker Road and back.
The two biking events include a family ride and an intermediate ride. The intermediate ride is 15 miles long and starts at 8:30 a.m.
The family ride starts at 10 a.m. It’s as long as anyone wants it to be.
“The idea is to turn around in good time to get back to the Marriott in time for lunch,” Johnston said. “This is laid-back. Don’t feel you have to ride a million miles.”
Lunch is one of the big perks for participants - an outdoor catered buffet at the Marriott from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., complete with fruit, muffins and door prizes.
Horse riders will have their own buffet when they finish up at State Line Road. Horses are only allowed on the Centennial Trail between Barker and State Line.
Amity Lemburg, 17, the president of the Freedom Riders 4-H Club, is leading about 25 4-H riders along the trail on her Arabian purebred, Gazyn.”I kind of think it’s cool they’re willing to come out and cater to us,” Lemburg said. “It’s rad. Otherwise we’d have to pack our own lunches. They’d look like cheeseballs when we’re done.”
The entry fee is $15 per person, which includes admission, a T-shirt, lunch and membership in Friends of the Centennial Trail. For a family, the cost is $25, which includes two T-shirts and the other benefits.
, DataTimes