Run-a-thon crosses the valley

Flathead High School cross-country runner Zach Perrin will run from his home in Lakeside to the west entrance of Glacier National Park this Saturday, Dec. 17.

Perrin will take on the 50-mile run to raise money for Jamie Founds. The 11-year-old girl from Marion has leukemia, and her family has no health insurance, Perrin said.

“I thought it would be good to do a run-a-thon for her,” Perrin said.

Perrin is a standout cross-country runner for Flathead High School. So far he’s raised $3,000. He said the route from his front door up U.S. 93 to U.S. Highway 2 and on to the Park’s west entrance gate is exactly 50 miles.

He expects the run will take about 10 hours. He’ll start at 6 a.m. and hopes to be in the Park by 4 p.m. Several local and regional runners will accompany him along the route, including Columbia Falls cross-country runner Derek Williams.

For more information and to support his effort, call Perrin at home at 844-3290.