Blackfoot mayor challenges elected officials to a run

The mayor of Blackfoot is challenging mayors in eastern Idaho to the 5k run in the Tommy Vaughn Marathon.

Mayor Paul Loomis said the mayor who wins the race can pick what race to compete in next year. The Tommy Vaughn Marathon has several courses of different lengths for people to choose from. Loomis said the winner will also win the mayor’s cup. Loomis said it will be a traveling cup that will have to be brought back to the city and defended.

“There are a number of folks that have come back to me and said I don’t run. I said that is OK, just send a representative from the city because I know somewhere in the city government there are some runners,” Loomis said.

Loomis said Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad has agreed to participate in the run on May 17. The run in Blackfoot benefits the Community Dinner Table. It is an organization that feeds hungry families in Bingham County.