BELLE FOURCHE—It was a spooky sight, just as the sun was setting over Herrmann Park, ghosts and goblins began to show up. Halloween music filled the outside air, adding to the creepy, ghoulish evening. Okay, maybe not so many scary costumes, but there were some tutus and a lot of glow-in-the-dark items lighting up the night for the Rec Center’s Fearless 5K on the evening of October 24.
The Belle Fourche Rec Center puts on several run/walk events each year to encourage everyone to get up and out! “This is our annual Fearless 5K! It’s one of the four run/walks that we do through the Rec Center every year—this is our fall event that we coordinate around Halloween time, and we’ve turned it into a glow run/walk in just the last few years,” said Tessa Anderson-Voyles, program director. “We have glow bracelets, glow necklaces, and encourage people to wear costumes for fun, if they wish—it’s just a fun night out!”
Turnout for the annual event was good this year. “We had almost 50 preregister—so that’s a first, we usually don’t have that many ahead of time,” explained Anderson-Voyles. “And then tonight, it looks like as of right now, we’re about up to 70—so this looks to be our best turnout ever!”
The route ran from Bowman Hall in Herrmann Park down Jackson, along the highway to Grant Street, over to State Street to Tenth Avenue, winding under the train bridge and coming back to the park. One time around was equal to 1.55 miles. In order to complete a full 5K, participants had to complete the route twice to equal 3.1 miles.
Those that didn’t want to run or walk the terrain could stay in the park and walk laps. Glow lights were placed around the park path to show the route. One lap around the park is about .30 of a mile. According to Anderson-Voyles, the evening was about getting out, getting a little physical activity, and socializing while enjoying the nice weather!
All the money raised from the fees goes to a good cause! “The money goes back to the Rec Center to help us run the programs that we do. We appreciate everybody supporting that and being healthy and just getting out and being with their community,” said Anderson-Voyles.
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