Crowds of smiling runners crossed the finish line at Anchor Park on Helena’s historic mall at the 46th annual Governor’s Cup this month.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana presents the event, and this was the second year that it was the primary fundraiser for the Caring Foundation of Montana®.
Registration fees and sponsorships raised more than $75,000 to support the foundation’s Care Van® program, which brings preventive health services to communities across the state in partnership with public health agencies and care providers.
“People ran for their health, but they also ran for the health of others today,” Governor's Cup race director Bryan Haines told KRTV.
The event, held June 7-8 in and around Helena, started with the Kids Marathon and Fun Run, a one-mile jaunt around Centennial Park near the YMCA. About 2,500 students from 18 elementary schools participated.
More than 2,000 registered runners for the 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon and marathon relay on June 8. Runners came from 40 of Montana’s 56 counties, 35 states, two Canadian provinces and Denmark. More than 250 volunteers, including 70 BCBSMT employees, ensured the race went well.
Cloudy skies and cooler weather provider runners with perfect conditions. Missoula resident Mark Messmer eclipsed his own record on the half-marathon course, with a time of 1:09:01.85.