Montana Ranchers Plan for 200-mile Running Event
Each year, members of the Montana ranching community lace up their shoes, load up the vans and head out for a run with beef in hand. The group goes with an intention of meeting people from outside the state who have mutual interests in healthy living, the outdoors and running.
The Montana Running Ranchers is a group of 12 members from across the state (and surrounding region) who are passionate about ranching, beef and running. They share their experiences with other runners from across the country; while spreading awareness of Montana’s ranching community and how beef can be an important part of a healthy diet.
Their annual trip involves a 200-mile Ragnar Relay where each runner completes three sections of the course (ranging from 3 to 8 miles), passing the baton to the next runner until the team reaches the finish line nearly 24 hours later. In past years, the team has participated in events located in Oregon, Colorado, Washington and California. This year, the Montana Running Ranchers will join 300 teams of 12 runners in Hawaii.
The Montana Running Ranchers are members of Team Beef, a program administered by the Montana Beef Council. Team Beef helps members “understand and believe in the nutritional benefits of lean beef and the vital role they play in physical training, being healthy and staying active,” as explained on the program website.
The annual event is an opportunity to share a positive message about Montana ranching and beef with others who already express an interest in and dedication to healthy lifestyles, proper nutrition and fitness. Each year the team walks away with numerous stories from conversations where others were able to learn something new about ranchers’ work and lifestyle.
2016 Montana Running Ranchers team members include: Heather Fryer, Hobson; Christy Gerdes; Huntley; Ryan Goodman, Helena; Evelyn Halverson, Big Timber; Billie Jo Holzer, Moccasin; Dustin Ladenburger, Stratton, NE; Robert Majerus, White Sulphur Springs; Sarah Nash, Harlowton; Christy Pletan, Harlowton; and Ed Rollins, Ione, OR. The team is still seeking two male runners to join this year’s event.
You can help support the Montana Running Ranchers as they prepare for their 2016 Ragnar Relay, which takes place October 14-15 in Hawaii. Financial contributions help to provide for race entry fees, rental vans, hotel, food, travel expenses and beef jerky samples which are passed out to other relay participants.
The team has a donation website available at bit.ly/mtrunningranchers. For a $50 sponsorship, ranches can have their brands displayed on team vans during the race. Agribusiness sponsorships are $150 and provide opportunity to have a business name or logo placed on the vans during the race.
Contact Ryan Goodman at (406) 465-4295 or email [email protected] for more information.
