The Badlands Community Facility got a sizeable boost on Monday. Thanks to the continued support of the Dinosaur Valley Half Marathon, the facility is $15,000 closer to its fundraising goal.
“We have to thank them very much for their continued support, it’s awesome,” said Mayor Terry Yemen, who accepted the cheque on behalf of the Town of Drumheller.
In the three years the Half Marathon has run, a total of $33,000 has been donated to the Badlands Community Facility.
The donation was raised through registration fees for the run. It is estimated nearly 600 runners signed up for the 5k, 10k, and half marathon events this year.
Colin Kloot, an organizer with the Half Marathon, credited the success of the marathon to its many sponsors and volunteers.
“Our big sponsor is Community Futures Big Country. They’re the main reason we have been able to do this and continue to. We have great volunteers. We had over 135 volunteers this year. Rotary alone had 31 and they did a wonderful job,” said Kloot.
The date for the next Dinosaur Valley Half Marathon has already been set for September 8, 2013. The 5k, 10k, and half marathon events will return.
There will also be a 5k costume run as well. The costume run had been proposed for this year, but organizers will be promoting it heavily for the 2013 run.
Also, all of the 5k participants will receive tee shirts and medals.
The biggest change, however, is in the routes for the 5k and 10k, which will be run backwards compared to this year. The advantage is the hills which are typically near the end of the route, will now be run first.
Organizers are already excited for the next half marathon.
“Everyone did a wonderful job and we’re looking forward to next year,” said Kloot.
For more information about the Dinosaur Valley Half Marathon, visit www.dinosaurhalf.com.
Dinosaur Valley Half Marathon organizers donated $15,000 to the Badlands Community Facility this past Monday, bringing their total contribution to $33,000 over the last three years. Pictured are Community Futures Big County general manager Wayne Hove, half marathon organizer Becky Kowalchuk, race manager Jens Madsen, Mayor Terry Yemen, and half marathon organizers Colin Kloot and Bob Sheddy.
