Vanderheiden Memorial Race: Fitness for a cause – North Platte Bulletin

More than 200 people got ready, set and took off in Cody Park on Saturday to run/walk in the third annual Tyler Vanderheiden memorial two-mile and five-mile race.

Sponsored by the West-Central District Health Department in collaboration with Nebraska Game and Parks, the races drew competitors from North Platte and western Nebraska.

The race brought the community together for a bit of friendly competition and also raised awareness and funds for mental and emotional health as well as suicide prevention. The Vanderheiden family lost Tyler to suicide in May 2015.

According to tylervanderheidenmemorial.com, the immediate family launched the fundraising race three years ago to honor Tyler and his passion for the outdoors. The funds raised will go to Nebraska Game and Parks to use in creating, maintaining and updating trails and open spaces within the state’s park system.

Platte River Fitness Series Director Trudy Merritt was on hand to ensure the race went smoothly. She presented awards to the top three finalists in each of the men’s and women’s age divisions.

John Guethlein captured the men’s overall top spot in the two-mile race. Baylee Kipp was top women’s winner.

Shane Burkey was the men’s overall winner in the five-mile race and Marissa Ramos finished first overall in the women’s five-mile race.

First place winners in the two mile men’s race were: Britton Blomstead, 12 and under; Isaac Goosey, 13-19; Tevin Ouderkirk, 20-29; Travis Veal, 30-39; Chuck Rogers, 40-49; Bob Veal, 60-69; and Thomas Johnson, 70-79.

Winning first place in the two mile women’s race were: Bryar Jensen, 12 and under; Ashlyn Wendell, 13-19; Rachel Williams, 20-29; Kalan Rayburn, 30-39; Amanda Tolstedt, 40-49; Maria Lein, 50-59; Cheryl Uhrmacher, 60-69; and Barb Chamberlin, 70-79.

First place winners in the five-mile men’s race were: Kael Standiford, 13-19; Jose Monrroy, 20-29; Jake Hasenauer, 30-39; Casey Roy, 40-49; Jamie Gastineau, 50-59; Jeff Bargell, 60-69; and Jack Miettenen, 80 and over.

Merritt said the event is symbolic of everything the Platte River Fitness Series aims to do.

“It symbolizes ‘whole human health,’ which is our purpose, and that means physical, mental and community health,” Merritt said. She added that the races allow people not only to test themselves but also gives them a goal to strive for — being more physically active.

“In the end, we remind people: You are not alone; there is a community who will wrap themselves around you in times of distress,” Merritt said.

Information about Platte River Fitness Series’s upcoming events may be found at platteriverfitness.com.

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