What I learned about “seeing one another” during the 2024 half marathon
First, there was a life. Zestfully lived.
Then, there was a loss. Acutely felt.
At last, there is a gift. Endlessly giving.
Four years ago, I used these words in an SVI Media article to describe the purpose behind the Star Valley Half Marathon. This sentiment still applies 13 years after the inaugural run of the valley’s premiere race — and it echoes my feelings 10 years after I ran my first Star Valley Half Marathon.
On July 13, this past Saturday, I “walked” my fourth one. As I reflected on the legacy of Jeremy Kunz, I recalled what a fellow runner said to me a decade ago: “To take something so sad and make something so good.”
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.
RELATED: 2024 STAR VALLEY HALF-MARATHON PHOTO GALLERY –
In one newspaper interview from 2014, Min Kunz said: “Our whole purpose on this earth is to help each other out and figure out a way to lift each other and to make each other better people. I feel like this race lets our family do that. We can be examples to other people that tragedy doesn’t have to define you.
“Hard times don’t have to make it so you are a bitter person. You can rise above your hard trials, and you can do good things no matter what comes your way.”
Today, the Star Valley Half Marathon is thriving — from the runners to the family members to the volunteers who man the packet-pickup, the aid stations and wear costumes to cheer you on the course.
“We are so very grateful for our volunteers,” Denice Kunz told SVI Media this year. “It takes about 120 volunteers to make this event happen. The course volunteers are full of energy and creativity to cheer the participants along the course as well as be there to keep them safe.
“Besides our course volunteers, there are many other volunteers who help at packet-pickup, the aid stations, the finish line and sweep the course. We couldn’t put the race on without them! We’re also grateful for the medical and law enforcement staff on hand to support our participants.”
Some 335 runners signed up for the 2024 Star Valley Half Marathon. But participation was far more expansive — and unifying in an age of division. One such “participant” doesn’t care about your politics, your religion or your background when she cheers you each year from her front yard in Turnerville.
Marilyn Heggenstaller was the first person to give my Syracuse, Utah, walking partner, Michelle Taylor, and I a shoutout as we passed her home. Then she hopped on her bike and rode down to a group of “cheerleaders” in Bedford and joined them complete with pompoms.
“I’ve always cheered them on at home,” she told me later in a telephone chat, speaking of the years she’s urged runners on since the race’s inception. “But this is the first year that I rode my bike and was a part of it.”
Stopping her bike by a group of dancers, she was invited to join them. “They handed me a pompom, and I just danced with them. It was a fun day for me.”
Perhaps Jeremy’s legacy is more than just celebrating life. It’s also about embracing each other. It’s setting aside what makes us different — however that “looks” — and “seeing” one another.
Marilyn said that through the years she’s cheered on runners, many — especially those struggling with the up-hill — proactively react to her cheerleading. “They make comments, anything to touch base with you. They see you.”
In our nation today, we live in hard times. But to paraphrase Min: “Hard times don’t have to make us hard.” May we remember Jeremy’s legacy — see one another and embrace the best Americans have to offer.
• Results
Peter Visser once again topped the field of over 300 runners at the 2024 Star Valley Half-Marathon and did so in a time of 1:07.35. Tanner Rogers of Riverton, Utah was second with a time of 1:08.12. Returning Star Valley High School senior, Jase Burton, was third overall with a time of 1:09.21.
Fellow SVHS runner, Carlee Angell won the Women’s division with a time of 1:34.48. Megan Elwell of Kaysville, Utah was second with a time of 1:35.33. Ava Sargent of Coalville, Utah was third with a 1:38.36.
New this year to the event was the addition of a 5K which was won by Esteban Barrios of Jackson with a time of 20:51. Kimball Williams of Blackfoot, Idaho was second with a time of 21:18 and Gracey Visser was third with a time of 21:37. Visser’s time won the Women’s division of the 5K with Briella Parry of Johnston, Iowa coming in second and Afton’s Judi Nield placing third. In all, 66 runners participated in the 5K race.
Women 19 & Under
1- Carlee Angell (1:34.48)
2- Ava Sargent (1:38:36)
3- Alexis Angell (1:42:19)
Women 20-24
1- Kayla Fuller (1:41.15)
2- Emily Spaulding (1:49.13)
3- Eve Mavy (1:52.53)
Women 25-29
1- Liza Stockstill (1:41.33)
2- Emily Linder (1:54.44)
3- Emma Clove (1:56.31)
Women 30-34
1- Stacia Suter (1:48.52)
2- Marylynn Pearce (1:51.55)
3- Hannah Call (1:55.23)
Women 35-39
1- Megan Elwell (1:35.33)
2- Kimberly Kelley (1:54.20)
3- Hannah Alessandria (2:10.13)
Women 40-49
1- Sylvia Greer (1:38.51)
2- Holly Thomas (1:42.16)
3- Jenni Bond (1:51.38)
Women 50-59
1- Tammy Campbell (1:49.02)
2- Cathy Pfarrer (2:01.47)
3- Stacy Paige (2:03.43)
Women 60+
1- Anita Stika (1:49.19)
2- Lisa Plescia (2:02.03)
3- Susan Hourany (2:10.59)
Men 19 and Under
1- Jase Burton (1:09.21)
2- Colton Cranney (1:17:19)
3- Wolfgang Meyer (1:27:20)
Men 20-24
1- Peter Visser (1:07.35)
2- Tanner Rogers (1:08.12)
3- Kolby Cazier (1:28:43)
Men 25-29
1- Joe Beck (1:44:59)
2- Wyatt Harrop (1:47:21)
3- Weston Barlow (1:48:20)
Men 30-34
1- Cody Brough (1:29:31)
2- Ross Caton (1:43:07)
3- Brendan Law (1:55:44)
Men 35-39
1- Alex Scharmann (1:31:23)
2- Blake Elwell (1:42:02)
3- Michael Onkes (1:59:31)
Men 40-49
1- Mike Lurie (1:29:24)
2- Cory Ferguson (1:31:39)
3- Kirk Orton (1:35:36)
Men 50-59
1- Brian Call (1:48:10)
2- Greg Gillespie (1:53:36)
3- Todd Kunz (1:56:52)
Men 60+
1- Matthew Meyer (1:46:56)
2- David Jasper (1:48:51)
3- Wade Bitter (1:55:04)
