Author Archives: nicholaskemper

Centennial Trail Run Time: 60:08 + 2-minute kick What I have seen of Ogden is not the garden spot of Utah. It is more like the weed patch. Actually, there is a lot of Utah that looks pretty rundown close up. What I saw on this run might actually be some of the best ofContinue reading “Ogden, UT”

Bonneville Shoreline Trial: Hellspot Tower Run Time: 60:06 + 2-minute kick Back to the altitude. Life elevated, indeed. A sunny, beautiful Memorial Day. Too many people at the trailhead, but none of them went to this trail, which just ran along the feet of the mountain range, just above the houses. I could not figureContinue reading “Orem, UT”

Billings Senior High School Run time: 59:46 + 2-minute kick Two visits in two weeks to Billings. This run was not nearly as picturesque as the first. Different hotel, different part of town, different run route. The school was a mile or so from the hotel, which was downtown. The track had some wear toContinue reading “Billings, MT”

Campbell Collegiate High School Run time 59:44 + 2-minute kick This was another forgettable run. I literally forgot to take any photos while running. First of all, this was no Lethbridge. There was nothing picturesque about the locale. I exited the back of the hotel parking lot, went through a dingy neighborhood that looked asContinue reading “Regina, SK”

Coulee Trail Loop Run time: 59:42 + 2-minute kick A hidden gem in the Canadian prairie. As soon as I saw the terrain on the satellite photo, and the trails on the All Trails map, I knew this would be good running. The hotel was right at the upper border of these ridges that runContinue reading “Lethbridge, AB”

University of MT Helena College Run Time 59:38 + 2-minute kick Somehow I jumped right over Helena when I wrote the Great Falls post. Something about the Helena run was forgettable, apparently. Oh yes, it was on a dirt track. Yes, dirt. So not so much forgettable as wannabe forgettable. It is possible that thisContinue reading “Helena, MT”

Missouri River Trail Run Time: 59:40 + 2-minute kick Tried for a run when I got into town, but the thunderstorms were discouraging. Ran the next afternoon instead, and again the morning after that. A rare 3-night stay in one hotel, the inglorious Extended Stay America, which had no coffee maker in the room, andContinue reading “Great Falls, MT”

Billings Bench Water Association Canal Run time: 59:36 + 2-minute kick Hello, Sunshine. Hello, Warmth. Hello, Montana. Who knew I would have to go to Montana to find warm weather? We have had the odd semi-warm day in Michigan this “Spring,” and we have seen the sun a few times, but this was a gloriousContinue reading “Billings, MT”

Gay Lea Wilson Trail Run Time: 59:08 + 2-minute kick This was an unexpected find. I was planning to run at a local high school, but there was track practice. The middle school track across the street was all locked up. A paved trail around a lake on the nearby community college campus looked promising,Continue reading “Ankeny, IA”

Prairie Lake Park Run Time: 59:06 + 2-minute kick The park was conveniently located about two minutes away from the hotel. The path was paved, but the grass alongside the path was runnable. There were quite a few walkers – I think the relatively spring-like weather brought them out. It was still cool with theContinue reading “Cedar Falls, IA”