We don’t think Bill Shoemaker has missed any of the 24 races of Camp Mount Luther’s Dandelion Run. Bill is in his 90s and while he told Chad he has definitely slowed down over the years, he still enjoys running. Bill inspires us, and all the staff hope to be as active as he is when they reach that age!
Bill was one of 100 runners who came out on a gorgeous Saturday morning at the end of August for the Dandelion Run. The run is a benefit 5- and 10- kilometer entry-level trail run. That means that the runners were traversing through the mountain trails at camp. Members of the Mid-Penn Trailblazers running club put on the event, headed by Joel and Shelley Heasley of Middleburg.
The Heasley Family, including Shirley Heasley who served as our nurse for decades here at camp, started the trail run in 2002. Proceeds benefit our annual fund. They host the run in memory of Rev. Glenn E. Heasley, Jr., who died in 2001. Glenn was the former Assistant to the Bishop of the Upper Susquehanna Synod. The Heasley Family decided to name the race the Dandelion Run because that was Glenn’s favorite flower, reminding him of Christ’s resurrection. He said that no matter what you do with dandelions, they always rise again!
There were a lot of familiar faces at this year’s run. Many of them have been here for many of the 24 years. Our board president, Gary Schaeffer, ran. Ben Hayes, a camper from Danville, even did the 10K! Campaign Coordinator Barb Collins watched her son and granddaughter run. It was a fun morning.
The one thing Chad really appreciates about the Dandelion Run is that it brings people to camp that normally would not get to see our site. As we are working on our next strategic plan, it is apparent that we need to attract new people to camp during all seasons of the year. The Dandelion Run is one way that we do that, and we hope to build on that in the years to come.
If you are sad that you missed out on the race, you can attend the Night Flight the first Saturday in April. It’s the same course, run in reverse and at night! Keep watching the blog and camp’s social media for more information.
Thank you to all who came out to run and support Camp Mount Luther!
Results of the Dandelion Run are posted here: https://my.raceresult.com/357721
Check out finish line photos here: https://runsignup.com/…/Miff…/DandelionRun5k10kTrailRace