SPEARFISH, S.D. (KELO) –It’s a run to save lives. For the next few days, 12 runners will work together in a 437-mile relay journey across South Dakota.
It’s a run to raise awareness and spread an important message.
“We all have reached tough moments in our lives that you’re not alone on your journey and that there is support throughout our state in our communities,” 437 Runner Betsy Schuster said.
While they’ll run one at a time, these runners won’t be alone either.
They have a support crew.
“Yeah I definitely think we are there to kind of cheer on and encourage the runners. You know to make a little noise when they’re struggling and encourage them to keep moving on. And you’re absolutely right, to let them know that they are not alone in that run, that we’re all there to support,” 437 Project Volunteer Driver Alex Pool said.
“My main motivation is just realizing that we can do hard things, and I know that it’s going to get tough out there but I also know I have amazing people behind me supporting me and that it’s all a team effort even though it’s only one runner at a time,” Shuster said.
In addition to raising money and awareness about the Helpline Center and 9-8-8.
“I see the need for that everyday and I still see that it’s still needed across the state to really raise that awareness, to allow people to reach out to and that it’s ok to be struggling, it’s ok to kind of voice that to someone and to let your voice be heard,” Pool said.
As the runners make their way east, everyone in the state can get involved by following the 437 Project online tracker.
These 12 runners, including one of our own, Dan Santella, will be running across the state through Sunday.
