The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Hays/Lodge Pole senior Isiah Runsabove climbed all the way to the top of the Class C Boys Cross Country world this past Saturday in Helena at the State meet.

Runsabove worked his way through the field taking the lead the last quarter mile to win the boys championship with a time of 17:24.

RunsAbove has worked hard throughout his running career at Hays/Lodge Pole and to reach the peak is quit rewarding," It felt great and it means a lot to me and the community. Without their support I couldn't have done it. They kept me going throughout the season and supported me every step of the way," said Runsabove.

The communities of Hays and Lodge Pole welcomed him and his teammates home in style Sunday afternoon, "There was a Caravan followed us from the Agency and followed us all the way to the school at Hays/Lodge Pole, it just kept getting bigger and bigger the closer we got," added Runsabove.

After crossing the finish line in Helena Runsabove first reaction, "I felt relieved, did this really actually happen; did I really win? It felt so surreal."

It was a windy day and the course offered plenty of challenges with hills and such but Runsabove had a game plan to attack the two lap course being ran on the Bill O'Brien Golf Course in Helena, "Not to be a pack leader. A couple of meets before, I was a pack leader and didn't win."

At State he made the change, "I wanted to be Be 3rd or 4th, in the top five and then start making my move on the second lap closing the gap between second and third," said Runsabove. "By half way mark of the second lap be side. Then make my push at the ¼ mile marker."

"I was sure I had the leaders, I could tell they were gassed but I was concerned about the runners behind me, if they were going to follow me. I didn't lose on a big kick at the end," said Runsabove.

Running is such a part of who Runsabove is as a person, "It's so relaxing, its hard but its mentally relaxing. I forget everything. I just know that I am out there doing what I love. And I can do it for the rest of my life"

"My teammates were great but Diana Snow and Darallyn Blackwolf have supported me throughout my cross country and track careers and they really supported me at state," concluded Runsabove

Runsabove has had success on the track as well finishing third in the State meet in the 3200 meter run this spring and winning the 1600 meter run at the District meet as well.

This spring look for him to close out his high school running career with a few more medals around his neck.