More than 50 people stood outside Station 1 of the Great Bend Fire Department Saturday morning, waiting for the start of the annual Great Bend Firefighters Run for MDA. They would run in 5K or 10K races, or participate in a 1.8-mile “fun walk” at their own pace, with their entry fees donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Across town, a crowd that was just as large awaited the start of Foundry Methodist Church’s annual Free Garage Sale at 5401 Broadway Ave.
Firefighter Mark Orth said this was the 10th annual run to raise money for the nonprofit Muscular Dystrophy Association. Everyone who participated received a T-shirt, and there were awards in several age groups. The complete list of winners will be announced later.
After a moment of silence for fallen firefighters everywhere, the crowd listened to the national anthem; then firefighter Matt Petersen rang the bell in front of Station 1 and the runners were off. About 20 minutes later, the first of the 5K runners were making their way to the finish line. Kole Stiner was first, with a time of 20:12. Kerby Depenbusch was 2 seconds behind him, and the next two runners to cross the line were Steve Dutton and his dog Brutus. The dog is a black lab that is part shar-pei “and a little bit of Lance Armstrong,” a friend of Dutton joked.
Stiner, who said he’s attended the fire department’s MDA runs since the beginning, was happy to come in first but wanted to finish the race in under 20 minutes. “I’m out of shape,” he said. This fall, he’ll return to Great Bend High School and its cross country team. “I’ll be ready,” he promised.
Founded in 1950, MDA is dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.
Foundry Methodist Church’s Free Garage Sale began in 2005. The Revs. Kevin and Jana Baxter said each year they’ve turned down donations as the church holds a garage “sale” where everything is free. “The items we have are intended to help people personally,” Kevin Baxter said.