This month meet Kevin Twidwell, former Pengelly volunteer race director
for 4 years. Kevin along with other Run Wild Missoula (RWM) volunteers and current Race
Director Jamie Swartz have transformed Pengelly Double Dip into one of the most
competitive and popular trail races in Montana.
Can you reveal a bit about yourself and the role you held during your four years as Pengelly race
director?
I was part of the Missoula Youth
Homes Committee that inherited an earlier version of the Pengelly races from
the Five Valleys Land Trust. The
committee changed the course to make it more “epic” by adding the haul up to
the University beacon, and that has become the hallmark and most-touted portion
of the Double Dip. It is really tough but that’s what makes the race so
fun. For years, some nutty friends (Rick
Wishcamper, Dean McGovern and Lisa Weinrich) and I swept the course in costume
just to add some goofiness to the event. A few years ago, I was asked to be the race director, and it was a
genuinely rewarding experience.
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| The climb up to the M. Photo by the Missoulian |
Please
tell the history of Pengelly and something unique about the race?
The Double Dip (13.1 miles) is limited
to 200 runners because it crosses US Forest Service land, and in the past few
years, the race has quickly reached its limit.
Part of the appeal, I think, is the toughness of the course, the fact
that it is well organized, and the fact that it is an early Spring run. The
races, including the Single Dip, a 10-k, draw people from all over Western
Montana to test themselves against the big climbs and descents. Others tell me the best part of the race is
the Tiki bar at the University Beacon where runners get a little margarita as a
reward for summiting and as a pain killer for the quad-pounding descent to the
Kim Williams trail.
Have
you raced Pengelly and how would you rank this course in comparison of other
Montana trail races of similar distance?
I have run the course numerous times
(marking, sweeping, just goofing off), but I have not actually done the race
itself because of my other duties (or injuries). But from what racers have told
me, it is one of the most difficult half-marathons you will find anywhere. It is common to have runners swear at me
during the race but then thank me at the end when they are finished.
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| The climb to the Beacon. Photo by Votography Images |
What
has been the historical involvement of RWM and how has that benefitted the
race?
Run Wild Missoula took over management
of the races several years ago and has made the race a seamless event. Tony Banovich, RWM executive director, has
played an active role in the races, making sure they are properly staffed and
meet the group’s goals within the Run Wild structure. RWM is operated by runners who know what makes
a great event, and the group’s volunteers make the race possible.
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| Descending from beacon -- Myke Hermsmeyer |
Jamie
Swartz is the present race director. How has she added value to the event?
Jamie Swartz took over the RD position
in 2016 and has made the races even better. She added a third distance – the
Vertical Dip – which is a five-mile race with 2,000 feet of gain from the river
to the top of Mount Sentinel and 2,000 feet of descent back to the bottom. It is truly a lung buster. She also switched
up the swag the race provides, added additional sponsors, and brought back the
Pengelly Hoodie. I am sure she has other
great ideas for the future.
How
would you spend your ideal day?
My ideal day is going for a run on the
trails around Missoula with my pals and my dogs. I love getting above the
valley and running into friends on the mountain, catching up for a few minutes
and then continuing on the trail. I like
to get home with wobbly legs and then have some strong coffee and a hot shower. The rest of the day is just gravy.
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| Photo by KT – Lunatic the Running Beagle still getting out with a little help |
Where
do you find inspiration?
So many things inspire me: great views,
mountain trails, wildlife, conversations with friends on a run. But I get the
most inspiration from my long-time pal, Lunatic the Running Beagle. Before she
got too old and developed maladies, we ran hundreds of miles together on the
trails around Missoula (and elsewhere) with her braying the entire time. She still wants to go every time I grab my
running shoes even though she is now relegated to short walks and being pulled
in a little wagon I bought for her. She reminds
me that running is fun and we should all howl a bit when we are on the trail.
What is your favorite place on earth?
Glacier National Park . Can’t beat it.
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Anyone who does the Double Dip course twice gets a free Super Nova from The Big Dipper. Here, Randy Tanner and John Hart enjoy their reward for doubling up. KT photo
Thank you Kevin, Jamie and RWM for organizing this fun event and creating opportunities for mountain runners.
For more information about the Double Dip, including
course maps and past results check out the race website. Click here for the Marshall Mountain Trail Festival--it's free for everyone
and is an amazing time. Finally, for a little bit information on the history of
the event from a couple of years back check out this Missoulian article and MTC’s Jimmy Grant’s 2015 write up of Pengelly.
Nicole
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