‘You Can Do Hard Things’ – Kunz family preps for 15th Star Valley Half-Marathon

For Denise Kunz, the most memorable will always be the finish line — what she calls “an incredible experience.” “It’s always about the people, watching them cross the finish line,” Kunz said. “To see their families greet them at the finish line and the joy of that accomplishment and hard work.”
To mark this milestone, Kunz spoke with SVI Media in anticipation of the 2025 Star Valley Half Marathon scheduled for July 12. As with last year, the course begins on the Heiner family airfield in Turnerville, then winds through the rolling farmlands of Turnerville and Bedford before ending at the Thayne Elementary School. There will also be a 5K and a free kids fun run.
For Kunz, reflecting on the 15th year of the race was also reflecting on the life of her son, Jeremy Kunz, for whom the race honors. At the 2009 Las Vegas Ragnar Relay, a drunk driver hit the father of three, taking his life. He was just 33 years old. Although reeling, the family, including his father and mother, Bart and Denice Kunz, and his wife, Melinda “Min,” took their grief and created a half marathon in 2011 in his honor — a legacy of celebrating the best life has to offer.

So, it is fitting that in this 15th year, the race is not only on Jeremy’s birthday — July 12 — but also the Kunz family is announcing that beginning in 2026, the Star Valley Half Marathon will be under the auspices of Star Valley Health.
“We are grateful for Star Valley Health to carry forward this race. They will maintain the integrity of the race,” Kunz said, while emphasizing, “We will still be involved.” For Jeremy’s mother, holding the race this year on what would have been Jeremy’s 49th birthday is poignant. “It seems to be fitting especially for our family, to really celebrate him and his life.”
Reflecting on the photo at mile 12 of Jeremy on a mountain peak with his fists in the air, Kunz said, “The photo really symbolizes the race because everybody out there [on the course] is triumphing over something.
Everybody goes through hard times and difficult times. It’s really a sense of accomplishment to finish the half marathon which tells you that you can do other hard things.”
Kunz also spoke of the tradition the family has of not letting a single runner cross the finish line without cheers. “Everybody deserves a good finish and to be cheered on even if everybody else goes home.”
And she emphasized that this tradition won’t change going forward. “We will always be there to cheer you when you cross the finish line.”
Continuing, Kunz expressed gratitude for the myriad volunteers over the years who helped put on the race. “You couldn’t put it on without the volunteers, and there’s at least 120-plus of them [each year]. They are all very dear to us, and I know the runners appreciate them, too.”
To register for the 2025 Star Valley Half Marathon, go to StarValleyHalfMarathon.com.
