Great Fourth

Dear Editor,

Culbertson really knows how to throw a Fourth of July party!

I ran the Country Mile 10 K race on Monday and had a wonderful experience!

Everyone there was so friendly that I can't help but rave. Dennis Fahrenbruch and Kristin Brown did a great job of putting on this race.

After the 10K race, there was also a one mile race in which LOTS of kids participated. It was great to see all those young people cross the finish line -- they were all winners. I realize that statement is a cliché, but sometimes the hardest part about racing is entering your first race and then showing up to run. If you toe the line, I believe that you are a winner.    

As a participant, I want to thank everyone who was involved in this race (there were many, many business sponsors and individuals who helped) and I encourage anyone who runs or walks to consider this race next year on the Fourth of July. Nobody cares if you are fast or slow -- (I usually come in dead last) -- most runners are just glad to see more people entering a race. Many races these days encourage walkers to enter -- as did the Country Mile 10K. It's really a lot of fun to race -- you usually receive a T-shirt, a finisher's medal, and a bag of race related goodies.

Most races hold drawings for cool prizes after the race is over! AND they even feed you oranges, bagels, water, Gatorade, or bananas after you cross the finish line! So, if you walk or run for exercise, consider racing -- the United Way in McCook has a well-organized race during Heritage Days and they have a walkers division. 

Southwest Nebraska towns sponsor a lot of enjoyable races. Bartley is holding a half-marathon on Aug. 6 -- wow! Those people in Bartley must really be energetic, and I hope the event pulls in a lot of runners from all over the tri-state area.

A running club in Southwest Nebraska is slowly getting off the ground -- we hope to host all types of group runs and encourage anyone who is interested in a little running (or walking) camaraderie to join us -- talk to Dennis Fahrenbruch, Jon Graff, Martha Roe, Randy Andrews, or myself and we would be very happy to have you join us.

Sincerely,

Peg Augustyn Andrews

McCook