If you show up to any race in the Missoula area, chances are you’ll see Kailee Carnes at the start line. Trail or road, she’s always looks happy to be there. This winter she’s also rallied a group to hit the trails, despite the snow, and they have been consistently running every Sunday for the last few months. Next time you bump in to her on the trails, stop and say hi.
Name:   Kailee Carnes
Number of Years Running:   14 years
Favorite Run:  It’s hard to pick a favorite. I love all the trails around Missoula but my favorite runs are all day adventures with high alpine lakes and running along mountain ridges. All of Glacier National Park and the State Line trail near Heart Lake top the list.
What are you training for?   The Rut 50k and RATBOB
You just went on a big trail running tour of the Southwest. Where did you go and what was your favorite place to run?  We managed to fit in runs in Zion, Grand Canyon, Sedona, Tucson, Joshua Tree and Red Rock Canyon.  It’s a tough choice but my favorite would be the Grand Canyon. We ran down the Bright Angel trail to the bottom of the canyon and across the Colorado River twice and back up the South Kaibab trail. It was an amazing experience I’ll never forget.
What is your favorite thing about running?  The amazing places running can take you. Plus, that runner’s high is real good.
What’s your food of choice during a run?  I eat a lot of bars. I like to mix it up with type/flavor to keep it exciting. Peach gummy rings and Huma gels are good too.