The 437 adventure

The third week of September was a week to remember.

One Wednesday, September 20th, 12 of us loaded up into RV’s and headed to the Black Hills. The next morning Kelly Marshall took off from the Wyoming border and on Sunday afternoon Paul TenHaken ran into Iowa. Over those four days a journey of celebrating, mourning, storytelling, bonding, crying, laughing, and of course running would take place.

Together, we ran 437 miles.

Together, with the help of many incredible volunteers, we safely traveled across the entire state of South Dakota.

Together, with your help, we raised a quarter of a million dollars to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention to go to the Helpline Center.

The 437 Project was an incredible adventure that left me with three big takeaways:

1. The hardest things are worth the most

2. South Dakota is so damn beautiful - the people and the place

3. The cause is even greater than I realized - check on your friends and family

I’m so grateful for new friendships that were made and the stories that were shared. My sore legs remind me of the importance of pushing yourself past your perceived limits. We can do hard things.

A tremendous thank you to Midco and Leadership South Dakota for being my jersey sponsors. These two organizations also span our great state investing in both people and communities.

Thanks to my shoe sponsors - Lemonly, Lost&Found, Mariner Wealth Advisors, and VanHorn Financial, and the local artists who designed them - Joe Schaeffer, Tyler Blake, and Zach DeBoer.

Thanks to my girls - Paige, Margot, and Liv. I felt your support with every mile from FaceTime to the shoes the girls painted.

I said on stage at the Levitt, “Today, we had a finish line and a closing ceremony, but this is just the beginning. Let’s end suicide and give everyone hope.”

Thanks for the adventure 437 Project.