Community runs for a cause
Karen Peterson
The Ultimate Viking Challenge kicks off on Saturday.
Karen Peterson
Wills DeGrandpre, 17, finishes the obstacle course.
Karen Peterson
Derek Walker, 10, turns into a bearded Viking.
Karen Peterson
Kena Sutton, 7, runs the 1-mile fun run
Karen Peterson
Charlo High School students bounce through the obstacle course.
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
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CHARLO – Willis DeGrandpre, 17, was the first runner to try out the obstacle course during the Ultimate Viking Challenge on Saturday.
“It’s tough, but much more fun than just a race,” he said.
DeGrandpre bounced through cones, threw a football, hopped the hoops, jumped through tires and did a bunch of pushups after running a few miles in an effort to help his school.
The course was designed to raise funds to help the Charlo Community Outdoor Complex committee develop a new track and field. Event coordinator Christy Bockman ordered 125 race shirts for the event and she ran out. People also came out to show their support along with 20 vendors. Participants had their choice of three race distances including a 1-mile fun run, a 5K with an obstacle course or a 10K.
The CCOC committee is using the funding from the race and other fundraising efforts to resurface and re-crown the football field with new sod and install underground sprinklers. They also want to construct an all-weather track surface and new lights.
“As a student athlete, I really appreciate what they are trying to do, it’s awesome,” DeGrandpre said.
He added that the school currently pays a fee for track time at other schools because the Charlo track and field turn into a mud puddle in the spring.
“We get home late from practice a couple times a week,” he said.
Chandler Krahn, a Charlo High junior, volunteered to help direct people through the obstacle course. He said he would like to see the track and field improved. “This is the place where people hangout together,” he said. “It brings the community together.”
Sixth-grader Tucker Love was the second person to try out the obstacle course. He said he hopes the new outdoor complex gets finished so the elementary kids won’t have to play on a swampy football filed.
“This is an awesome thing for our future, way cool,” he said.
Colt Hovet finished the race wearing a set of Viking horns. The seventh-grader took a moment after the race to catch his breath and explain why he wants to see the outdoor project finished.
“I think it will represent our school and make it look better,” he said.
Kena Sutton, 7, ran the 1-mile race wearing a purple cape. She spread her arms out a few times to let the cape fly behind her.
Bockman said the race turned out better than expected. “It didn’t rain,” she said.
The first phase of the development project that includes new grass and sprinklers is scheduled to start as soon as possible.
