SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. - Planning has begun for the 13th annual Platte Valley Companies Monument Marathon, scheduled for Sept. 28. The race will again have a full marathon, half marathon, 5K run/walk, and a three-person half-marathon relay.
The Platte Valley Companies Monument Marathon is the largest annual fundraiser for the Western Nebraska Community College Foundation which supports students, programs, and facilities at WNCC. Last year the marathon celebrated its 12th year as a premier event in Scotts Bluff County, drawing runners to the area from around the country, and raising $47,251 dollars for WNCC students, bringing the total funds raised to $557,536 since the marathon's inception in 2012.
Jennifer Reisig, race director and WNCC Foundation executive director stated "This success is made possible by the generosity of Platte Valley Companies, and their CEO, Hod Kosman. We are so grateful to them for their support for the thirteenth year in a row.”
"We are very honored to be a part of such a good organization," Kosman said. "We're very thankful to WNCC and we're pleased that we can add value back to those in our community who make this community an even greater success."
Reisig also mentioned the course changes made last year.
“In 2023 we made some notable changes to our course when we recertified the race as a Boston Qualifying course for another 10 years," she said. "Feedback about the changes was very positive from both runners and race personnel. What hasn’t changed is the purpose of the race: to promote the beauty of the region, to build tourism, to encourage a healthy lifestyle, and most of all to support WNCC students.”
Two WNCC students were in attendance to speak about the support they have received because of the marathon and to talk about how they in turn helped at the marathon last fall. New WNCC President, Greg Dart, chatted with the students about their experiences.
Victoria Schwartz, who graduated this month from WNCC with her Associate Degree in Nursing found herself her home at WNCC and said that the scholarships she received from the Foundation kept her in school and out of debt.
"I was paying for college out of pocket," Schwartz said. "These scholarships really help students like me to finance my goals and get me to this point in my nursing career. These scholarships allowed me to come out of school debt free."
Ben Firminhac, of Torrington, Wyoming, and freshman on the Cougar baseball team, was also able to volunteer at the Monument Marathon last year.
"It was really cool to see how big of a deal (the marathon) was and how many people participated and how great those people were," Firminhac said. "There were people that I knew from Torrington and it was just really special to see how big of a deal it is to the community."
"It just brings the community as a whole together," Schwartz said. "It brings people in that might not come from such a small community and don't know what it means to really know everyone. Being allowed to volunteer and cheer on the runners and hand out water or whatever it might be gave me satisfaction in ways of showing what our community is all about."
Schwartz will begin her career as a registered nurse at CHI Health - St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center in Lincoln next month. Firminhac will continue pursuing his Elementary Education degree in the fall.
Last year, 533 registered runners came from 36 states and 5 countries to run the Monument Marathon. For the September 28, 2024 race there are already over 125 runners registered from three countries and 23 states.
Registration information, FAQs, and details about becoming a sponsor or volunteer can be found at www.monumentmarathon.com, by calling 308-630-6550 or emailing racedirector@wncc.edu.