By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG
Missoula—Run Wild Missoula encourages the community to continue to run and race in honor of those affected by the violence at the Boston Marathon, including at the Superfun(D) 10k, 5k and 1 mile on April 20 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Bonner, where special race bibs will be provided for participants who want to honor victims, and at a group run to raise funds for One Fund Boston on Monday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. in partnership with the Runner’s Edge.
Although Run Wild Missoula has no reason to believe the Missoula Marathon (or any of its races) are targets for any acts of violence such as those in Boston, the group has begun reviewing its security plans for the July Marathon events and will be meeting with local law enforcement officials and medical personnel to discuss ways to make the events as safe as possible for runners and spectators alike.
“Run Wild Missoula extends its deepest sympathies to those affected by the violence at the Boston Marathon,” says Run Wild Missoula Executive Director Eva Dunn-Froebig. “Runners are strong and resilient; we can get through this by continuing to run. The victims in Boston will be in our thoughts as Run Wild Missoula continues to hold activities like Tuesday Track, Missoula Marathon training classes, group runs and races like the upcoming Superfun(D) Run this Saturday and a fundraising event for the victims of the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 22.”
The Superfun(D) 10k, 5k and 1 mile run on April 20 in Bonner will pay tribute to Boston from 2,500 miles away. Superfun(D) Run participants will have the option of wearing a bib that indicates they are running or walking in honor of the victims at the Boston Marathon. The bibs will be available at packet pick up on Friday, April 19 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Runners Edge and on race day from 7:30 – 9 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church at the race start. Register for the Superfun(D) Run on the Run Wild Missoula Website.
The Runners for Boston event on Monday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Runner’s Edge will cost $20 and includes a t-shirt. One hundred percent of the fee will be donated to One Fund Boston, the charity recommended by the Boston Athletic Association. Run Wild Missoula and the Runner’s Edge’s will contribute the cost of the shirts and printing in order to make this possible.
Although there is no information indicating that the attack at the Boston Marathon was a specific attack on runners, Run Wild Missoula is reviewing its safety and security plan for all of its events, including the Missoula Marathon on July 14.
“The safety of the participants and spectators of the Missoula Marathon is of utmost concern to us, as always, and we will be thoughtful and rational in the coming weeks as more information about what happened in Boston becomes available and as continue to plan the best Missoula Marathon,” says Missoula Marathon Race Director Anders Brooker.
Registration Form for the Missoula Marathon.
Run Wild Missoula is a non-profit running club with 1,500 members. Its signature event is the Missoula Marathon on July 14, 2013. Run Wild Missoula organizes over a dozen annual races, several training programs, seminars and clinics. For more information, visit the Run Wild Missoula Website.
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