The Diaper Bank of the Ozarks and 48 other Ozarks children’s charities of the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper received another encouraging boost Saturday as nearly 200 runners competed in the second Diaper Dash & bRUNch Bash at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
The Diaper Bank of the Ozarks set a goal this year to distribute 1 million diapers to families in need across nearly 60 counties. It is working with nearly 100 agencies to get the job done.
“We’ll get there with the help of the community. The Ozarks is very generous. We have a lot of needs, and we hope to meet those,” said Loir McLerran, Executive Director of the Diaper Bank of the Ozarks. “When you are clean, you are happy. So we are doing a great thing today.”
The event featured breakfast by Gailey’s Breakfast Café as well as beverages by the Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company, Heart of America Beverage Company and Mother’s Brewing Company. Results can be found at ActNowRacing.com, as the event raced through Highland Springs Country Club.
Rogersville’s Jay Strausbaugh and Trina Wilcox won the 10-kilometer runs in the men’s and women’s divisions, finishing in 35 minutes, 14.26 seconds and 48:26.20, respectively.
It was the first 10K for Strausbaugh, a Class 3 state medalist in cross country and two long-distance track events, plus was a state wrestling champion in Class 2.
“It wasn’t that much different – just a little longer,” Strausbaugh said. “I heard stories (about the Diaper Dash) and just did it because it helps people around this area. And it’s a fun run to do.”
Said Wilcox, “It’s very nice to help the Diaper Bank of the Ozarks. They do a lot for the surrounding community and see the efforts they put out.”
The 10K runners-up were Jacob Bennion (37:37.07) and Pam Sailors (50:06.62), with the third-place medalists being Rick Strausbaugh (45:04.72) and Jessica Kolde (51:38.26).
Meanwhile, Mitchell Furtkamp (16:18.71) and Erin Lindeman (22:43.75) won the men’s and women’s divisions in the 5-kilometer run, respectively.
“I’m actually a college athlete (Concordia University), and this is part of my training,” Lindeman said. “But I also work at a daycare with infants, and so I thought this was a good cause.”
The 5K runners-up were Elliot Ball (19:58.12) and Katie Wright (22:47.36). Third-place medalists were Blaine Breth (20:20.64) and Annaliese Black (22:51.75).
Said Furtkamp, “I did this last year. Our daughter (Mackendree) was born in April of last year, and so my wife (Jayme) and I wanted to come back. The running part and the cause it goes to makes you feel great.”
“We’re so excited to be a part of the Price Cutter Charity Championship,” McLerran said. “It’s the community coming together to help the community.”