Out & About: Skiing 24 hours at Schweitzer

OUTDO – Downhill skiing marathoners are conditioning their legs or gathering teams for the fourth annual 24 Hours of Schweitzer March 30-31 at Schweitzer Mountain Resort – a fundraiser for a good cause.

Also known as “24 Hours for Hank,” the event seeks participants to rack up the vertical for bragging rights and cystinosis research.

24 Hours of Schweitzer is a team relay beginning at 8:30 a.m. March 30, running continuously through 8:30 a.m. on March 31.

Participants will ski as many runs as possible in 24 hours for prizes, bragging rights – and a cure for cystinosis, a rare and fatal disease that affects only 500 people nationwide.

This all-day and night fundraiser honors Hank Sturgis of Sandpoint, a 5-year-old who has been diagnosed with cystinosis.

During last year’s event, more than 120 participants ranging in age from 4 to 69 completed a total of 9,561 runs in 24 hours, totaling 10,247,310 vertical feet. The 2011 event – which featured record-breaking performances and even a midnight marriage proposal – raised $90,000, making it one of the most successful cystinosis community fundraisers in the country.

Who’s the top dog? Matt Gillis, a Sandpoint ski stallion, set the solo record last year: 202 runs in 24 hours.

American Guns hosts coming to Spokane

OUTGUNNED – Hosts of the Discovery Channel’s “American Guns” are scheduled to be in Spokane Saturday for a meet-and-greet before the Friends of the NRA fundraiser at the Red Lion Inn at the Park.

Wear your mirrored sun glasses: Rich, Renee, Paige and Kurt Wyatt, a family known for firepower and cleavage, will be available to the public 3:30-5 p.m.

The annual banquet raises money to promote gun safety, education programs and scholarships. Tickets available at Sharp Shooting, White Elephant, Wholesale Sports and Mountain Shadow Arms.

Adventure auction boosts Centennial Trail

OUTBID – The fourth annual Friends of the Centennial Trail Adventure Auction is set for March 9 at Northern Quest Resort and Casino.

Silent auction starts at 6 p.m.; dinner’s at 7; live auction at 8.

People who support the 39-mile trail from Nine Mile to the Idaho state line (and beyond) already are getting tickets and gathering friends to join them at tables for a feast.

“Eighty percent of the proceeds go directly into our Trail Builders fund for projects on the Trail,” said Kaye Turner, executive director for the group that supports the 39-mile paved recreation. “Remember the bumps at Barker Road – our Trail Builders fund fixed those.”

The trail, managed by Riverside State Park, runs along the Spokane River from Nine Mile east to the state line, where the route managed by Idaho continues to Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Kris Crocker, KXLY’s star weather reporter, will be the auction MC.

Tickets: 624-7188 or email friends@spokane centennialtrail.org.