Southeast Beasts raise $1,800 in lightning run

A Wrangell running club raised $1,800 in a hastily organized 5K last week, held in part to mark National Running Day on June 3 but also to assist a local family in need.

"It was impromptu," said the Southeast Beasts' director, Lucy Robinson. Creating an event on Facebook only the day before, she was surprised to see around 50 participants at the community center the next evening, ready to go.

Runners, joggers and walkers of all ages had come out in support of the Appleman family, which lost its youngest member late last month. Participants raised $1,800 themselves, and an associated page started up by a relative at the GoFundMe.com kickstarter site raised an additional $6,020 for the family.

"I was blown away by the community," Robinson commented. "It just never ceases to amaze me."

Regular group members were joined by lots of families, bringing strollers, dogs and even bikes along despite the rain. After the run, people met up at the community center to dry out and relax over snacks and express their encouragement.

"That was one of the special things," she said. "The community really came out full-force for that one."

Robinson was also thankful for the support of the parks and recreation department, which let the group use its facility free of charge, and to Janell Privett and Mikki Angerman for helping with the event.The Beasts' next run will be its annual Solstice Streak, held on June 20. Robinson said there will be a block-style party by the Chamber of Commerce Queen booths downtown, with live, local music.

"It's in cahoots with the Chamber," she said. The Totem Bar will also be providing a prize in addition to the group's usual goodies, such as activewear, Xtratuff boots, and – everybody's favorite – bacon.

Information on the run, the group and its other summertime doings is available on its new Southeast Beasts Facebook page.