Running into the new school year

This August marks the 36th annual Sunrise Stampede organized by the St.Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation. Founded in 1986, the race was first organized by the Longmont Sunrise Lions Club and sponsored by Mountain Bell as a way to support students. The Education Foundation partnered with the Stampede for the first time in 2016, updating the race route to one that starts and ends at Silver Creek High School.

As for the 2021 race, students, families and the planning committee alike seem to be excited that this year's race will be both virtual and in-person. Another exciting aspect of this year's event is the addition of a fun run option.

SVVSD Community Liaison Michelle Phelan said, "2020 was a challenging year, as we all know. But one thing we knew [is that] SVVSD students with special needs still needed support and we wanted to be sure we could still provide Teacher Innovation Grants to support our teachers."

According to the Stampede's website, the annual race has raised more than $250,000 in teacher innovation grants for student programs across the school district. Some of these programs include Mead High School's Unified Percussion Ensemble, Niwot Elementary's Project Game Day and more.

In addition to proceeds earned from registration fees, community members can make direct donations to the Sunrise Stampede. As for racers, 5K participants can expect a registration fee of $30 and the one-mile fun run folks will have a fee of $10. Registration will be open until the day of the in-person race, but racers who sign up before Aug. 10 will also receive a commemorative shirt.

Thanks to the Stampede's "Diamond Level Sponsor," Longmont United Hospital, the first 200 students have been able to register for free. Sponsors are critical to the success of this event, as they are largely responsible for supporting the race's ability to provide prizes and giveaways. "They are focused on supporting our students any way they can," said Phelen.

There will also be a variety of prizes for both in-person and virtual participants. Top 5K finishers will be awarded a mug made by local pottery artisan Mark Rossier and virtual racers will be entered into a giftcard drawing,

Students in either fun run will receive a race medal, and for students with a 100 Mile Club at their schools, this may count as the first mile.

Phelan said that the race is "a great time, [and] a great way to kick off the 2021-2022 school year, knowing they are helping to support students with special needs."

For more information about the race, please visit: https://stvrainfoundation.org/programs/sunrise-stampede/