LAWRENCE, S.D. (KELO) — At its heart, running is simple: one foot, then the other, propelling yourself in the air, always forward. And The 437 Project’s runners could hardly have wished for better scenery on Thursday as they began their trek on foot east across the entire state of South Dakota.
“This is amazing,” runner Marty Wennblom of Rapid City said. “Like, the sun’s coming up and just a beautiful day. So, no nerves on a day that you, it’s just meant to take steps and one step at a time.”
“One of the most scenic runs I’ve done,” runner Mark Scharnberg of Sioux Falls said. “It was awesome. Lot of ups and downs, but I had a tail wind so it kept me going.”
All their strides highlight mental health while raising money for the Helpline Center. Lisa Larson of Mitchell is running in the event for the second straight year.
“The 437 Project is becoming state-wide known, and it’s tremendous, so it’s an honor and a blessing,” Larson said.
2024 is the project’s third year.
“Watching this the last few years, I’ve wanted to do this,” Scharnberg said. “My cousin died by suicide 20 years ago. So, it’s a mission that’s really close to our family, and as I’ve shared my story and heard stories of countless others, there’s just so much we can do.”
“It’s for a great cause to prevent suicide and also just to spread awareness that there’s people out there willing to help, willing to listen, willing to talk to you,” Wennblom said.
And runners willing to put in the miles.
“You just keep striving through because you’re thinking about those people that are still suffering: taking that next step and that next step,” Larson said. “So you just keep trudging through.”
KELOLAND’s Dan Santella is one of the 12 runners crossing South Dakota for The 437 Project in 2024. His first leg was scheduled for Thursday night.
