The Durango Adult Education Center saw an increased turnout at its Fast & Curious 5k and 10k fundraiser Saturday at Santa Rita Park compared to its last fun run held in 2021, and the organization managed to raise $3,330.
The fundraiser was held to raise money for operational expenses at the center, which offers high school equivalency diploma courses, English as second language classes and other services for adults living in La Plata, Dolores, Montezuma and San Juan counties.
Kirsten Chesney, spokeswoman for the adult education center, said 65 adults and nine kids ran in the races. The event raised $2,830 in registration fees and somebody donated $500.
The events were standard 5k and 10k runs, but a twist spun by the adult education center allowed runners to take a 10-question quiz after their race in which correct answers could shave seconds, or even minutes, off their final race time.
Chesney said about 40 of the runners took the post-race quiz and many of them shaved between four and seven minutes off their times. The quiz questions were meant to give people an idea of the difficult subject matters adult students tackle in pursuit of their high school equivalency diplomas.
One question from the quiz asked what territory the United States bought from France in 1803 (Louisiana).
A multiple choice math question said, “Ron weighs 240 lbs. He goes on a diet and loses 20% of his body weight. How much weight, in ounces, did he lose?” (Seven hundred sixty-eight ounces.)
“Several of the runners told me some questions were tough and some wanted to see which ones they missed,” she said. “One person who wasn't a runner wanted to take the quiz just for fun. They all seemed to enjoy this element of the event.”
First, second and third place winners in men’s, women’s and kid’s races won gift cards for massages, saunas, cold plunges and climbing gym passes to businesses that sponsored the fundraiser, she said.
The fun run with a quiz twist was a way to combine athletics and academics in a unique way, she said. But the event in whole was an important fundraising opportunity for the adult education center, which not only helps adults get their high school equivalency diplomas, but offers language courses for people studying English as a second language, a career advisement program and assistance with applying for various kinds of housing.
She said securing housing and jobs is a big barrier for many people who use the center’s services.
“It’s not just our second language students or our GED students. It's across the board,” said Susan Hakanson, executive director of the center. “And it is an amazing thing right now in our region to overcome.”
She said people seeking their GED’s and people whose first language isn’t English are unable to fully participate in economic and social systems because not having a high school diploma or being English literate is a “huge barrier.”
“We really do change people's lives when they come and go through our programs,” she said.
Ohana Physical Therapy, a vendor and sponsor, hosted a manual therapy station at Santa Rita Park for the races, Chesney said. Durango Spine and Sport Chiropractic was stationed with laser therapy at the park. And The Ice Cream Lady owner Carrie Foster was present with frozen treats.
Prizes and raffles were donated by a number of organizations, including Gravity Lab climbing gym; Gardenswartz Outdoor; Massage Intervention; Durango Recreation Center; Durango Spine and Sport Chiropractic; Nature's Oasis; Durango Running Co.; and Maria's Bookshop, she said.
The top sponsors of the event were Alpine Bank, Summit Fitness, Ohana Physical Therapy, and Durango Spine and Sport Chiropractic, she said.
Race winners in each category:
Men’s 5k:
- First place - Charlie Kiene.
- Second place - Slader Schweitz.
- Third place - Keith Nicovich.
Men’s 10k:
- First place - Marshall Genn.
- Second place - Scott Sells.
- Third place - Robin Henry.
Women’s 5k:
- First place - Mother and daughter Allison and Janella Dingler tied for first place.
- Second place - Julia Johnson.
- Third place - Shannon Cruise.
Women’s 10k:
- First place - Carolyn Archer.
- Second place - Kristy Lawson.
- Third place - Savannah Seiter.
Kid’s 1st Place (5K):
- Archer Nicovich.
cburney@durangoherald.com
In a previous version of this story, Brent Herring, Anne Love and their children Mira and Maisie Love were misidentified in a photo caption. Incorrect information was given to the Herald.
