Bowman County Pioneer

34th Annual Fun Run & Walk — 1980’s Style — On 4th of July in Hettinger!



West River Health Services Foundation is hosting their 34th Annual “Fun Run & Walk” on Monday, July 4th, 7:30am at Mirror Lake Park in Hettinger. Pre-Registration is now open to all runners and walkers of any age (from babies in strollers to more experienced exercise enthusiasts)! By paying your registration fee prior to June 26th, it will only cost you $20 (includes t-shirt, refreshments and fruit, awards, etc.). After June 26th and through race day on July 4th, registration fees go up to $25 per person. You can go online at wrhs.com to pre-register or you can register the day of the event from 6:30-7:30am (for a little more). We also will be mailing out registration forms to all of the last three year’s participants and we are planning an insert of the registration form in next week’s Adams County Record. All of the Hettinger school kids received registration forms for the Fun Run & Walk and the Bike Decorating Contest and Bike Parade the last week of school.

This year we are hoping our participants will participate with our 1980’s theme and wear apparel from that time period. We’ve even added a “Best Dressed 80’s Costume Award!” The music from the 1980’s will be rockin’ – so please come a walkin’ or runnin’ to our terrific event.

The Mini Kids Run/Walk (maybe 200 yards!) for boys and girls ages 5 and under begins at 7:30am sharp on Independence Day, with the 1K Kids Run for ages 6-8 and 9-11 to follow thereafter. Then it’s on to the Adult 3K Run around scenic and now full Mirror Lake! All of the walkers will start after the runners reach the highway! We better all get a few miles in before the 4th of July. Not to worry though, as our West River Ambulance crew will be on hand if needed.

And once again, there are Fun Run & Walk Raffle Tickets available for sale as well. For a $5 ticket, you could win one of eleven amazing prizes, totaling $2,650 in value, including a Grill/Smoker donated by Dr. Scott and Nancy Kenney paired with a Beef Bundle from JC Farms; a golf driver and putter from Jeremy Galbreth at Mizuno, plus Men’s and Women’s Mizuno Running Shoes; a 2023 Family Swimming Pass for the new Hettinger Swimming Pool; a new Bowling Ball and one year Locker Rental from The Gutter; a $200 Gift Card from Kennedy’s Fresh Foods paired with a Picnic Backpack Set from Runnings; and a Mirror Lake Canvas Artwork from former WRHS Laboratory employee Orby Reyes. Wow! You can secure tickets from each of our Fun Run & Walk Committee Members: Ted Uecker, Cindy Ham, Talia Dustman, Tammy Roso, Beth Erickson, Jill Sailer, Patty Ness, Kim Schalesky and Andi Werlinger. Plus, you can also purchase raffle tickets with your registration order form or at the raffle ticket table the morning of the event (so bring a few extra dollars!). The nine packaged prizes will be drawn at the conclusion of the races on July 4th. You need not be present to win – we will bring your prize to you when you do!

Most all of the net funds from this event (raffle ticket sales, sponsorships and registrations) will be given back to area communities for health and wellness activities. In fact, the last three years we have averaged giving back $6,000! Historically, we’ve utilized Fun Run & Walk funds for Recreation Library, a new Ice Skating Rink, Free Open Swims, Free Fitness Classes, Free Cooking Classes, Free Yoga Classes, area Little League Baseball and Softball, Youth Golf and more. This year, we will be opening up our search to area organizations to apply for funds they might need, to help them promote healthy activities in their communities. As always, West River is “paying it forward” – on the run! Onward!

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