By WNCC
SCOTTSBLUFF - Planning has begun for the 11th annual Platte Valley Companies Monument Marathon, scheduled for Sept. 24. The race will again have a full marathon, half marathon, 5K run/walk, and a three-person half-marathon relay.
The Platte Valley Companies Monument Marathon is the largest annual fundraiser for the WNCC Foundation which supports students, programs, and facilities at WNCC. Last year the marathon celebrated its 10th year as a premier event in Scotts Bluff County, drawing runners to the area from around the country and as far away as Kenya, Africa. WNCC Foundation Executive Director, Jennifer Reisig, is also Race Director for the marathon.
“Thanks to the generosity of our title sponsor, Platte Valley Companies, our runners, volunteers, and other sponsors, we have raised more than $450,000 in our first ten years," Reisig said. "In 2021 alone, we raised $55,142 to support student scholarships at WNCC. That’s more than any previous year of the Monument Marathon.”
Hod Kosman, President and CEO of Platte Valley Companies, said “We are honored once again to be the title sponsor and to partner with WNCC on this great part of our community that touches lives in so many positive ways. We’re very proud to be part of an organization as good as the Monument Marathon and thankful to the whole crew for expanding ways for individuals to participate throughout the day. The scholarships raised through this race add value to the lives of individuals who then contribute to our community.”
This year, race organizers unveiled a new sponsor level, the Friend of the Monument Marathon. This will replace the Mile Marker sponsor level and give a chance for more people to get involved in supporting the race. The Friend of the Monument Marathon sponsorship can be made in honor or memory of someone, and it includes recognition at Five Rocks Amphitheater on race day, two free race entries, two free tickets to the expo pasta feed on Sept. 23, an option to have a table at the expo, and a pair of Platte Valley Companies Monument Marathon socks.
Two local businesses have already signed on to be a Friend of the Monument Marathon, Bellevue University and Gering Valley Plumbing & Heating. Jennifer Schwab is a Monument Marathon runner, volunteer, and the Relationship Manager for Bellevue University.
“For Bellevue University, it’s about fostering and building on our partnership with WNCC," Schwab said. "We see success when WNCC is successful. The amount of money raised by the Monument Marathon to provide WNCC student scholarships is helping students to see educational opportunities that they may not have otherwise. As a long-term resident born and raised in Gering, I know that when WNCC is successful it helps our entire community and Panhandle.”
Julie Thompson helped promote the Monument Marathon in its early years at an expo in Colorado, and she is the HR Manager at Gering Valley Plumbing & Heating.
“Any event that promotes and brings people to our community is something we want to support. Our owner, Bill Schlaepfer, is very involved in the community and easily says yes to events like this. We’re honored to be able to be a sponsor.”
Last year's marathon included 491 registered runners from 29 states. There are already over 150 registered runners for the 2022 race. Two runners who ran last year and are registered to run again in 2022 are Adam and Rachel Harper.
“This will be my fourth Monument Marathon and our second Monument Marathon together. What got us started running together was that our lives got so busy, and our training runs became our time together. I love that this is in our neighborhood. It’s a course that we can practice on and get comfortable with, and the course is amazingly beautiful. I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to do a half marathon,” said Rachel, a fifth-grade teacher at Northfield Elementary in Gering.
“We started running together because COVID happened," Adam, an attorney who works with Legal Aid of Nebraska, said. "We could focus our efforts, and even our anxiety and stress over what was happening, on running together. Until two years ago we never had a desire to run more than four miles.”
This year the couple has a goal of running a sub two-hour half marathon. They say the beauty of the course keeps them coming back. They encourage other runners who aren’t sure if they can tackle 13 miles to ease into it over the next few months.
“We’ll build up over the next two months to a base of six miles. In July – September, we find a 10 – 12 week program where we increase miles each week. Saturday is our long run. Two years ago, every Saturday run was the most I’d ever run. For the average citizen, like me, it’s about taking it slow and steady. It’s been rewarding,” Adam said.
If runners aren’t ready this year for 13 miles, the 5K and half marathon relay are great options.
Reisig encouraged community members and longtime runners to step up to sponsor the race and help students at WNCC.
“For our runners who have run the race for years, they may opt to sponsor as a Friend of the Monument Marathon to increase the impact they have," Reisig said. "They know this race and love this race and what it does for our students and community. We were also looking for more ways for community members to connect with our runners. People love hearing the stories of who the runners are, why they came here, and where they came from. The benefit of the tickets to the pasta feed gives a chance for community members to sit down and share a meal with our runners.”
“What you see here is a great opportunity. An opportunity for students. An opportunity for people in the community. An opportunity for people from around the world to come see and participate in what we have here. We come together and raise the dollars that help with the scholarships. I get to start at the top [of the Wildcat Hills] with the runners, and I get to meet every runner at the finish line. I’m so blessed,” Kosman added.
The Platte Valley Companies Monument Marathon and Half Marathon are sanctioned and certified by the USA Track and Field Association making this race a Boston Marathon qualifying race. Registration information, FAQs, and details about becoming a sponsor can be found at www.monumentmarathon.com or by calling 308-630-6550.