SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The trek across South Dakota for this year’s 437 Project and its runners has come to a close.
Sunday afternoon, the 12 437 project runners had a police escort as they approached the Levitt in Sioux Falls.
“I’m overwhelmed. My life has changed for being part of this,” runner Marty Wennblom of Rapid City said.
A few hundred people came out to support them.
“Especially coming in today, it was quite emotional seeing all the signs of loved ones lost to suicide and running in. We can’t do it without the support,” runner Susan Kornder of Aberdeen said.
It was a celebration, one runners needed after the challenges they experienced on the road from the Wyoming border to the Iowa border.
“I think all of us had different segments where it was really hard, or we were maybe more sleep deprived, our legs were hurting, but everyone did their part. We got through it together, honestly,” runner Jessica Rumpca of Pierre said.
But with every step and every mile they ran, digging deep and remembering why they were running in the first place helped them push through the pain.
“The most rewarding part was hearing the stories and being thanked all along the way from different people for doing this for them or for a loved one,” Kornder said.
“My why is definitely representing the police, the military, the veterans out there that have lost their lives due to suicide, but also the survivors that are still everyday going and serving our communities,” Wennblom said.
The runners raised a little more than $315,000 for the Helpline Center, a feat they accomplished together.
“My favorite parts of the 437 project across the state was working together as a team, supporting each other and meeting so many fantastic people along the way,” Kornder said.
KELOLAND’s Dan Santella was one of the 12 runners who crossed South Dakota. He brought you coverage from the road in recent days, and he’s working on a big recap that will air in early October.
If you would like to donate to The 437 Project, click here.
