Medvejie Solstice Run
Dear Editor: The weather and wildlife cooperated to allow another Medvejie Solstice Run to happen on Saturday, June 24. After the 17th running of this enduring fundraiser for Sitka High’s state champion running programs, there is, as usual, a long list of generous Sitkans to thank.
First and foremost, thank you once again to former race directors Murray Lawson and Carolyn MacIntyre for creating and nurturing this event – we continue to value the details they left with us, including the importance of race-eve bear poop scooping!
Without the financial support from Sitka businesses this event would not be a productive fundraiser for SHS running programs. Huge and hearty thank yous to:
Arrowhead Transfer, Birch Equipment, Christine Harrington CPA, Daily Sitka Sentinel, F/V Lucy O, F/V Patriot, First Bank, Foreign Automotive, Harbor Mountain Brewing, Neurobehavioral Consultants, Russell’s, Schmolck Mechanical, Sea Mart, SEARHC, Sitka Rotary Club, Tongass Federal CU, and Weiland Construction. We are deeply appreciative of your support given the ongoing economic challenges that our community faces.
For race preparation, City and Borough of Sitka staff (legal and electric departments in particular), and SSD/Sitka High staff (Kate Uddipa, Carrie Spackman, AD Rich Krupa, and Superintendent Hauser) were instrumental. Jeremy Strong and Rainforest Services/Bob Reid provided additional help as we set up for race-day. The Sentinel, Sitka Soup, KCAW, and KIFW helped get the word out, as they do for so many local events.
On race-day we relied on the dedicated help of so many: Bridget and Randy Hitchcock, Christine Horan, Anna Prussian, Addie Poulson, Caden Brenner, Addie Moore, Haley White, Peter Vu, Hank Maxwell, Patty MacPike, Jasmine Wolfe, Collauna Marley, and anyone we missed! Also invaluable were: shirt wrangler and athletic trainer extraordinaire Carolyn Black and bike sweeper John Baciocco. Their hard work and smiling faces were invaluable!
Finally, thank you and congratulations to all the amazing 87 runners and walkers who joined us at Herring Cove on Saturday. Your enthusiasm inspires us to start thinking about plans for next year! And thank you to the exceptional student-athletes and coaches at Sitka High who we’re so happy to support as they represent our community. High school sports teaches cooperation, respect, accountability, appreciation, public diplomacy and the importance of physical & mental health. All of the above support helps mold athletes into good humans.
With great appreciation,
Medvejie Solstice Run Co-directors
Erika Knox, Jennifer McNichol
and KK Prussian
