In only its second year, Human (e)Motion grew 43 percent in participation compared to its inaugural year, according to sponsors.
All totaled, 214 participants took to the line on the morning of June 2 at Great Bend Regional Hospital to bike, run or walk. Their physical efforts raised money for the Family Crisis Center, which is located in Great Bend and serves 10 counties in its mission to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
“I was pleased by the huge increase in the number of participants we had this year,” said Adina Gregory, an event organizer and the chief nursing officer at GBRH. “It provides me with great joy to be able to raise money for the Family Crisis Center. With this being our second year, we are finding ways to make each year better.”
Human (e)Motion offered five event categories: 62-mile bike race, 25-mile bike race, half-marathon race, 5-kilometer race and 2-mile walk. Extra incentive was provided by Great Bend Regional Hospital in the running events as the top three places in five age groups were awarded cash prizes. First place won $100, second earned $75 and third took home $50.
To help promote the event, former area athletes who turned professional  — Cameron Chambers and Jackie Stiles — participated in Human (e)Motion’s half marathon for the second straight year.
After completion of the events, participants gathered to hear messages from Chambers, a world-champion mountain bike racer, and Stiles, the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year in 2001. Additionally, Family Crisis Center executive director Laura Patzner shared her Center’s message with the crowd.
Sixty volunteers helped with Human (e)Motion, all of them employees or supporters of Great Bend Regional Hospital and Family Crisis Center.
“Great Bend Regional Hospital feels very passionate about assisting the Family Crisis Center,” said hospital administrator Pam Chambers. “It was an absolute joy to see so many people come and support them. The event is just another example of how committed this hospital and its physicians are to our community.”
Patzner said proceeds from the event will go toward the organization’s operating costs. With a decrease in state funding the past five years and its need increasing over those years, the Center operates with just 10 employees and relies heavily on volunteers. She described Great Bend Regional Hospital’s support as “a godsend.”
“It was wonderful to see such a great turnout,” said Patzner. “The most impressive thing is that people not only came out to race, but also to do their part. This work — eliminating domestic violence and sexual assault — is all of our work, together. We all have a part to play.
“I am so grateful for the partnership we have with Great Bend Regional Hospital. They have embraced our agency and the survivors we serve.”