Willie’s 5k Run for the Environment was held on a perfect clear crisp Saturday morning, Oct 17th. Organized in honor of Willie Neal, of Jackson Hole, WY, who lived in Sun Valley in 2008-09, training and racing as a Post Grad with SVSEF. Tragically, Willie was killed in June 2009 when hit by a car while roller skiing in Maine. In his memory, SVSEF Comp Team member Daniel Sundali organized this run as a school project. The event took place north of Ketchum, at Hulen Meadows Park and drew more than 50 runners.
Top finishers from SVSEF included Post Grad OJ Erik Fagerstrom (2nd overall), J1Torin Tucker(6th overall), Coach Chris Mallory(7th overall). Top Master finisher: Scott Tucker of Ketchum(3rd overall). Many SVSEF athletes were race officials, including the organizer and starter J1 Danny Sundali; J1s Brandon Wade and Will Spiller were course officials. SVSEF ODT members Mikey Sinnott and Morgan Arritola opted to jog the course at uncharacteristically slow pace. Uber fit Master Bob Rosso, owner of the Elephant’s Perch and ubiquitous supporter of the SVSEF, was one of the top Master finishers.
Willie was a dedicated environmental activist and the start area included information about Green Living and campaigns to combat idling. Ketchum recently enacted a no idling ordinance, supported by testimony from many in the SVSEF Nordic community.
