By Barbara Ertel
The 6th annual Rush Creek Stampede races, consisting of a half marathon, 5K and 1-mile fun run, took place on Sat., Oct. 15, on the Rush Creek loop road and at Cambridge Elementary School. This year’s Stampede, sponsored by the Upper Country Education Foundation as a fund raiser for our local schools, was once again a very successful and enjoyable event, despite the intermittent rain showers during the races. Putting a positive spin on getting wet, one of the racers was overheard to say—with a shrug and a smile—“at least it kept us cool!”
She then added, “and I know there’s that delicious, hot soup waiting for me at the end”.
In addition to the nearly 200 participants, there were many family and friends as well as community members who came out to wish them well and cheer them on. Some of the race results will be posted in a follow-up article.
Also adding to the festivities and, certainly, to the success of the event every year, are the many local volunteers who donated their time and energy to helping with all aspects of the race—registration; parking; transportation; information; safety; providing water, energy drinks and encouragement to all the racers along the course; and feeding everyone afterwards, to name just a few. We are continually surprised, impressed and delighted by how willing and generous our local citizens are, and extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to everyone who contributed to making this day so special.
The comments overheard on race day, the feedback posted on Facebook (check out the Rush Creek Stampede Facebook page) and through word-of-mouth, are incredibly positive. People especially love the country and the Rush Creek loop course, the friendliness of the local community and that hearty, delicious lunch awaiting them back at school after they’ve finished. Many of the race participants commented that this is their favorite race and thanked all the volunteers for “taking such good care of us”.
The organizing committee would also like to recognize and thank all the businesses and individuals who sponsored the race through cash donations, supplies and/or services. Our very generous sponsors include Friends & Family of Jackie A. Whitlatch, Cambridge Telephone Company, Weiser River Cattle Assn., Cambridge Litho, Inc., Gene Langer Construction, Idaho Power, Authentic Sports Timing, Ontario Physical Therapy, Care At Home, Cambridge Lumber Co., MTE Communications, Jay’s Sinclair & Loveland’s General Store, Upper Country Electric, Inc., McU Sports, Noahs Angus Ranch, YRU Contracting, B.A. Warren & Associates, Creed Noah Real Estate, Academy Mortgage Co., Mountains West Dental, Commercial Tire, Hughes River Expeditions, Salubria Center Assisted Living, Hells Canyon Adventures, John Barinaga Orthodontics, Shu’s Idaho Running Co., Irish Mist Coffee Co., Steve’s Automotive & Towing, Two Rivers Medical Clinic, William & Carolyn Carpenter, Ed & Theresa Schumacher, Kalyn Hochstrat– Financial Planner, Oregon Natural Market and Mundo Hot Springs. We greatly appreciate all your continued support.
The Upper Country Education Foundation would also like to express special thanks to a few key people whose vision, energy and dedication are truly responsible for not only the success but the very existence of this wonderful and healthy community event. It all started with Stacey Ertel’s dream of bringing a half-marathon to the Upper Country, a dream she shared with friends Rebecca Crosby, Sara Kindall and Jodie Mink. Then, six years ago, the Education Foundation was also searching for a fund raiser to help support and enrich the educational opportunities for our local children. When both objectives came together and a plan was developed, the dream then became a reality—and the Rush Creek Stampede was born!
The first Stampede in 2011 started off well but relatively small, with mostly local participants. Then, in 2012, the running group Run 4 Heaven’s Gate, who run four consecutive half-marathons for their own cause of helping children with HIV/AIDS and their families in India, joined the race and the numbers shot up to nearly 130 racers that second year. Heaven’s Gate has returned every year since, and, together with others who have learned about the race, the number of registered participants has steadily increased each year. We greatly appreciate the fact that Heaven’s Gate has chosen to include our race on their schedule for the past five years.
The benefits of the Rush Creek Stampede, both planned and unforeseen, become increasingly obvious as the event grows. It showcases all of the best features of the Upper Country—its beauty and tranquility, the friendliness and camaraderie of its people, and the simple quality of rural life. Since most of the racers come from the Treasure Valley, it introduces many of them to this part of the state. Some arrive the night before, stay in local lodging and eat at our restaurants. Many of them spend additional time browsing through town and have said they plan to return again for a longer and more leisurely visit. Hopefully, the Stampede will continue to provide an economic and public-relations boost to the community as well as an opportunity for locals to come together and share in an exciting, fun and healthy community event.
RACE RESULTS FOR 6TH ANNUAL RUSH CREEK STAMPEDE
Saturday, October 15, marked another successful running of the Rush Creek Stampede. Thank you and congratulations to all 196 participants and all the volunteers and sponsors who help to make this event come together.
The top 3 finishers overall in the ½ marathon were: 1st) Devon Selleck, with a time of 1:20:37; 2nd) Amanda Dunne at 1:27:25; and 3rd) Caleb Batchelor coming in at 1:28:20. Ben Monaghan, (3rd) rounded out the top three male finishers with a time of 1:31:09. Following Amanda Dunne, daughter of Cambridge’s own Tim and Mary Dunne, were Jen Bradley (2nd) posting the time of 1:43:43, and Melinda Eldrick (3rd) at 1:46:05, as the top three female finishers.
More local news from the ½ marathon included Lizzie Allender running a 2:06:37 and Katelyn Papineau with a 2:09:35. Congrats ladies, it’s great to see you out there on the course. Newly returned prodigal: Marcus Scheibe put up a personal record with a time of 2:38:09. Way to go, Marc!
In the 5 kilometer event: Nathan Batchelor (1st @ 21:12), 10 year old Emma Strommen (2nd @ 22:44), and Carolyn Warden (3rd @ 25:10) were the top three finishers overall. The top three males were: Nathan Batchelor, Ben Thomason (2nd @ 26:58) and Boden Meyer (3rd @ 27:24). The top three females in the 5K were Emma Strommen, Carolyn Warden, and Bella Thomason (3rd @ 26:00) who bested her dad by almost a minute. Prizes of the day: medals and bragging rights.
Nathan Kindall (1st @ 32:27), Brendan Wood (2nd @ 33:51) and Logan Farrens (3rd @ 34:43) with his brother Keith Farrens (4th @37:12) were the top 4 finishers in the 10-19 male age group of the 5K event. Zoe Ertel (1st @ 27:50), Katie Russell (2nd @ 33:58), Shayna Landis (3rd @ 40:51) and Beth Gladhart (4th @ 40:52) posted the fastest four times of the 10-19 female age group. Olivia Thomason (1st @ 33:51) and Jace Waggoner (2nd @ 34:41) were the class of the 1-9 age group while Stephanie Kuta (1st @ 37:36) took the honors for the 40 -49 age group.
Kalyn Hochstrat posted an excellent time in a freelance 10 kilometer event of 48:11, having started with the ½ marathon group. Other locals participating included Carrie Hug, Theresa Schumacher, Lacey Cromwell, Karen Ader, Jamie Loucks, Frank Gifford, and Caryl Whitlatch.
The top 5 finishers in the 1 mile run, held around the elementary school, were Makinley Dunne (1st @ 5:54), Kali Waggoner (2nd @ 6:33), Chloe Russell (3rd @ 6:48), Paxton Waggoner (4th @ 7:23), and Hailey Kindall (5th @ 8:31).
Thanks again to all involved! Nice race! We’ll see you next year.
