Five Questions for Bailee Parker

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Bailee Parker lives on the western edge of Yellowstone National Park at the entrance to one of the world's most amazing natural places. 

She is also a really good runner. West Yellowstone High School only had 52 students enrolled in 2014-15 -- smaller than many high school cross country teams -- but she has proven that she can run with the best in the state of Montana. She placed sixth in the first flighted race at the Capital City 7 on 7 meet in Helena last week. She ran 17:52 for 3 miles. 

It's not everybody who has to carry "bear spray" (pepper spray for bears) on their run.

We caught up to Parker this week to ask her what it's like living a stone's throw from Yellowstone Park. 

Question 1 -- Most people who live in West Yellowtone are tied to the national park somehow. What's your connection?

Bailee Parker: My family's connection to Yellowstone is that my great grandparents started a business, a hotel, that has been passed down from generation to generation and now my parents own it. It's called Al's Westward Ho, and my parents also own the Mobil gas station right before the entrance to the park.

Question 2 -- Of all the amazing attractions and places within Yellowstone Park, which one is your favorite?

Bailee Parker: My favorite place in Yellowstone is the Canyon of Yellowstone. It's absolutely beautiful.

Question 3 -- How often have you come across wildlife on your run? Also, how do you carry bear spray on a run?

Bailee Parker: I come across wildlife fairly often. I have never come across wildlife running in the park, though. The animals I see the most are deer or antelope. Usually when I see them they prance right in front of me or next to me, so that's pretty cool! I run with bear spray in my hand. Some people run with it in a belt but I prefer just holding it.

Question 4 -- Montana is going through an era with some amazing HS girls on the running scene -- Makena Morley, Christina Aragon and Annie Hill to name a few. How much do they inspire you?

Bailee Parker: They inspire me a great deal. I'm really lucky I get to see them run and get to run against them. They run amazing times and they definitely motivate me to work harder. It's so inspiring to have such great examples so close to home and to be friends with some of them.

Question 5 -- How did you get into running and then get to such a high level?

Bailee Parker: In elementary school we had the Hershey Track Meet once a year. I ran the 400 meters and I always did really well. As I grew older, I realized the 400 wasn't really my race, so my coach and mom suggested longer distances and ever since then I've really enjoyed it! We have great trails to run on and being at such a high elevation I think really helps me compete because everywhere else is quite a bit lower in elevation (6.670 feet).

Bonus Question -- Where do y ou train and how often do you get to run inside the park?

Bailee Parker: We have the Rendezvous Ski Trails where the U.S Biathlon team comes and trains (outside the park boundaries), and that is where we do most of our training. It is super hilly, and very challenging so it prepares us for any course we come across. Any time we go in (Yellowstone), it's for a super easy run because it's mostly flat. The park closes before reopening for winter, and then summer, but in the fall and spring when it's closed we will sometimes run in the park on the roads. Anywhere to run in Yellowstone is amazing. Any way you go there is a trail. We are lucky to have all the trails so we can stay off the pavement, and running with all this nature and beauty around us definitely makes running more fun and enjoyable.