CASA - 24th ANNUAL HALF MARATHON - July 24th, 2010

 

"I had a great time at the race last Saturday. The weather was great and the scenery was gorgeous for the run. I certainly appreciate all the effort you and the other volunteers put forth."

- Jason Quam 2010 Participant

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The 24th Annual Spearfish Canyon Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk was held Saturday, July 24, at the Spearfish City Park and Spearfish Canyon. There was a record turnout of support for the children, with three hundred registered half marathon runners and one hundred and ninety-nine 5K runners and walkers. The race is an annual fundraiser, which benefits the abused and neglected children in the Northern Hills via the Northern Hills Area CASA Program. This year's event brought in an estimated $16,500 for the child advocacy program.

 

Overall winner of the half marathon was Steve Folkerts, Fort Collins, CO, with a time of 1:11:27. The second place finisher overall was Mike Erger, Sioux Falls, coming in at 1:18:52. The overall third place position was earned by Jessie Vrooman, Rapid City, with a time of 1:20:44. The first woman finisher was Anne Dreyer, Piedmont, with a time of 1:23:33.

 

Overall winner of the 5K was Brant Haase, Lemmon, SD, with a time of 18:17:42. Cody Hunt, Sunnyside, UT, came in second overall with a time of 18:45:63. In third place was Cooper Bebo, Redfield,SD, in at 19:05.30.

 

Runners of all ages and from coast to coast participated in the 24th annual half marathon on Saturday. Runners came from as far away as New Hampshire, California, Washington, and Georgia and from as close to home as Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, and North Dakota. The youngest runners in the half marathon was 13-year-old Hunter Martin from Ainsworth, NE and 14-year-old Maddy Whay, Rapid City. Our spirited senior participants included 79-year-old Edith Weber, Piedmont, 75-year-old Lyle Scandrett, Rapid City, 72-year-old Errol Miller, Casper, WY, 72-year-old Elaine Doll-Dunn, Spearfish, and 71-year-old Sonny Heintz, Rochester, MN.

 

Event committee members this year were Myles Kennedy, Karen Hahn, Dave Donat, and CASA staff. Dozens of volunteers also helped make the event a success.

 

Sponsors of this year's Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk and donors of door prizes were: Premier Bankcard, Black Hills Pioneer, KEVN Fox, KDSJ Radio, Carl's Trailer Sales, Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel & Gaming Complex, First Gold Hotel, Wharf Resources, RCS Construction, Prestige Auto Sales, Visit Spearfish, Great Western Bank, Best Western Hickok House, Tin Lizzie Casino, Belle Joli Winery, Ketel Thorstenson LLP, Performance Physical Therapy, Stress Relief Massage, Two-Wheeler Dealer, Curves, and Bliss Hair and Nails.

 

The following businesses assisted with supplies, services, and equipment: Runners' Shop in Rapid City, Spearfish Police Department, City of Spearfish, Spearfish Fish Hatchery, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Spearfish High School Athletic Department, Reinhart Food Service, Spearfish Ambulance, Superior Sanitation, Safeway, the Holiday Inn, and local media.

 

All proceeds of this event go toward providing each abused and neglected child involved the 4th Judicial Circuit a safe, permanent, and loving home through the advocacy efforts of their CASA volunteer.

 

If anyone is interested in volunteering for next year's event or becoming a CASA advocate, please call the CASA office at 722-4558 or email casaadm@rushmore.com.

 

TESTIMONIALS

"I wanted to thank you for hosting the 2010 half marathon. The course was beautiful and it's great to run for such a great cause. Thanks again for putting together such a great event." - Brian Baleno 2010 Participant

 

"I ran the Spearfish Canyon Half marathon this past Saturday, July 24. It was a great race and nice scenery!" - Michelle Knuppe 2010 Participant

 

"I would like to say what a wonderful event you guys put on. The Casa Half Marathon was top notch, for all the right reasons. To help abused and neglected children, awesome. This was the first time I have taken part in this run and plan on making it next year if possible. The run was well organized & the canyon was beautiful." -Steve Layman 2008 Participant