To the editor:
On behalf of the Hilly Half committee, the Brown County Community YMCA and event participants, I would like to thank you, the community, for being an integral part of this inaugural event.
We had 500 extremely happy athletes. They are fortunate to share the privilege of being the first to run the Hilly Half 5K and 10K.
We couldn’t have asked for a better day! The weather gods have been smiling down on Brown County and we enjoyed the gift. From the horses being let out of the pasture to the saddle barn, to the VP-elect and Secret Service detail, to the Brown County High School football team going the distance with two brothers and a wheelchair, to the QuaffON! beer mile and 80-plus volunteers, we hit a home run!
The Brown County YMCA and planning committee for the Brown County Y Hilly Half would like to thank the following sponsors: The Brown County Democrat/AIM Media, Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Big Woods and Quaff ON! Brewing Company, Seward Party Rentals, OORNJ, Nashville McDonald’s, Brown County IGA, Smithville Fiber, Modern Woodman Fraternal Financial, Columbus Regional Health, Thrive Alliance, Commercial Service, Endeavor Investment Solutions, Peaceful Valley Construction, Weaver Fine Furniture, Hills O’Brown Vacation Rentals, Circle K, Wheeler Electric, ISU the May Agency, Hunter’s Electronics, New Song Mission and Kw Findley Group.
Thank you to:
Big Woods and QuaffON!, which provided a pasta dinner and the music of Braedon Brown and Chuck Wills for our packet pickup and pre-race pasta meal, as well as a great post-race party with live band The Haters, hot soup and breadsticks, souvenir pint glass full of beer and a slug of beer at the last mile down the hill.
Ryan Seward for providing a tent, tables and chairs for race headquarters, as well as tables and chairs for all five water stops and snacks at the finish line.
Bob Blass for his design expertise.
Modern Woodmen for bottled water and Gatorade for each runner at the finish line.
Brown County IGA for donating the water for the water stops as well as post-race recovery snacks of granola bars and bananas.
The Brown County Emergency Management Agency for sharing portable lights, radios, and manpower; and the Brown County Volunteer Fire Department and Hamblen Township Volunteer Fire Department for ATVs and first responders.
EXplore Brown County and Q’s Bikes for the electric fat tire lead bikes.
Race Director Bill Bartley for his calm demeanor and expertise.
Brown County State Park for letting us shut down a road or two for a portion of the morning. We can’t imagine a better backdrop and location.
And to the 80-plus individuals who volunteered their time to make this a top-notch day, we could not have done it without each and every one of you: Haley Abraham; Dave Boeyink; Taylor Brandsasse; Emily, Brian and Brandon Crase; Jacob Cumberledge; Debbie Cummins; Nancy Dietz; Sue Engledow; Brian and Darla Fenneman; Jacey Ferguson; Logan Fittz; Bill and Becky Freeman; Sally Gindling; Roger Grissette; Nisa Hensley; Shelle Hertz; Grace Jackson; Dave Jarrett; Lizzy Jenson; Tim and Debbie Kelley; Laurie Klion; Janet Kramer; Larry Kuhn; Mike Laros; Will Leggins; Tona Martin; Jessie Meranda; Buddy Mercer; Lydia, Sam and Alex Miller; Halle Miller; Justin Mollo; Jeff Mooney; Dawn Oliver; Abe Oliver; Dennis and Betsy Parman; Matt and Heather Powell; Tracy Rea; Jerry Roberson; Bill and Quincy Robinson; Herb Ross; John Slater; Emma Snyde; Kyle Spires; T.H. and Doreen St. Clair; Lisa, Lilly and Lexi Stadler; Chris Stoll; Don and Laura Stuart; Lauren Turner; Donna Tackett; Rex, Allison, Rex IV and Ryan Watters; DeAnne Weaver; Greg Wright; Tammy Yachhari; Carol Zapapas; and John and Theresa Zimnawoda.
Thank you to our EMT and law enforcement team: Chris Henderson, Sara True, Kelsey Bray, Doug Hollenbeck, Jim Norton, Nick Kelp, Hunter Riebl, Billy Redmond, Lacy Thompson, Jeremy Goodnight, Arlan Pierce, Phillip Burton, Brad Reel, Ben Kibbey, Beni Clevenger, Wesley Schoeff and Tim True. Weren’t we in good hands?
We would also like to thank Michael Stieglitz and the Nashville McDonald’s for being the presenting sponsor of our Hilly Half Fun Kids Run on Friday, Nov. 11 along Salt Creek Trail. We had over 50 pre-K through sixth-graders running along the trail with a special guest appearance by Ronald McDonald. The kids had a great time! Each runner got a medal, healthy snacks and T-shirt.
Our local elementary schools had a friendly competition on who had the most participants and Helmsburg squeaked by with 4.8 percent of enrolled students. They will have a special plaque to hang in their school until next year. Thank you to Betsy Parman, Brian and Darla Fenneman and Allison Watters.
Sincerely,
Kim Robinson, CEO, Brown County YMCA
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