Community Corner
Hundreds 'Run the Valley' in Golden Valley This Weekend
The 17th annual run/walk raises thousands for local organizations.
When Ben Pullen saw the medal his father brought home after finishing a half-marathon, the six-year-old decided he needed one.
"I told him have to earn a medal," said Dave Pullen, Ben's father.
The younger Pullen is on his way to doing just that. Ben was one of more than 600 runners and walkers who participated in the 17th Annual Run the Valley on Saturday morning in Golden Valley.
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The event is the largest fundraiser for the Golden Valley Human Services Foundation [GVHSF].
In 2011 GVHSF allocated more than $40,000 to nine different organizations that help meet the needs of less fortunate people in the Golden Valley area. In 2010, Run the Valley raised almost half of that, generating $20,000 for the organization.
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Early indications are the charity run will earn close to that amount again this year, said Jeanne Fackler, event organizer and staff liason for GVHSF.
"The whole mission of this is to raise money for people in need," Fackler said. "One-hundred percent of the profit goes to helping GVHSF."
Runners and walkers take part in Run the Valley for many different reasons. Ben Puller did so to try to earn a medal. According to Ron Byland, a running coach for the MN RED running club, some runners use the 10k and 5k runs as tune-ups for races later this summer.
"This is a nice little race," Byland said. "It's one thing to go out and spend $25 - $30 on a race fee. If the proceeds go for a good cause, that makes it even better."
The MN RED represented themselves well, with club member Brian Davenport, of Minneapolis, placing first overall in the 5k with a time of 16:41. Beth Holman of Bloomington was the top women's finisher in the 5k with a time of 19:10.
In the 10k, John Grimes of Minneapolis took the top spot with a time of 37:09. Katie Bunkers of Maple Grove was the first woman to finish the race, notching a time of 38:43.
Approximately 90 volunteers helped make Run the Valley the well organized, successful race it has come to be.
"Once we get the t-shirts and the pot holes taken care of," said Fackler, "The rest is cake."
