Thirty-seven runners from 10 schools attended the 5th Annual Randall Creek Running Camp this past June 28, 29, and 30. The running camp was organized by Larry Lucas from Pickstown.

Each morning the runners did a 3-4 mile run and then participated in different activities and discussions related to building a successful training program for distance running.

Ericka Kotab from Wagner put on a session on Yoga and Mental Focus. Jenna Lucas from North Central Heart did a session that focused on how to measure and run in your heart rate zone, and Wagner Coach Mieka Slaba had the runners set their short term, mid-range, and long range goals around distance running. Beth Harrington from Andes Central showed the runners how to improve their core with stretch bands and USD professor Whitney Molitor Lucas had the runners make energy balls and learn about healthy eating habits.

The camp concluded on Friday morning with a 5K fun run followed by a motivational talk from Emma Thomas, a graduate from Gregory High School who is a student athlete at the University of Sioux Falls. Individual winners of the 5K run were Mason Ryan from Lower Brule and Autumn Baker from Kimball.

Other fun activities were playing frisbee disc golf, fishing in the afternoons, enjoying the views of the Missouri River, and making nutritional energy balls to provide an extra boost for a long run. The runners were able to interact and make friendships with each other from the different schools, enjoy the recreation activities at Lake Francis Case, and tour the Fort Randall Dam Powerhouse.

The runners left the camp with positive goals for becoming better distance runners. Coaches at the camp were Beth Harrington from Andes Central/Dakota Christian, Meike Slaba from Wagner, Stephanie McCord from Kimball/White Lake, Joel Milton from Lyman County, and Lori Kinsey from Burke.

Runners and coaches who attended the camp were: Mikayla Svatas, Mila Hopkins, Adara Hopkins, Makayla Jones, James Derry, and Eilie DeHaan from Andes Central/Dakota Christina; Sophia Bauld and Bella Duerfeldt from Burke: Lydia Yost, Presley Slaba, Jackson Rolston, Alex Reinter, Grady Bartunek, and Cooper Slaba from Wagner; Autumn Baker, Lily Baker, Allie McCord, Gentrie Blasius, April Skluzak, Darron Moeller, Alex Ekstrum, Daniel Leiferman, and David Lieferman from Kimball/White Lake; Memphis Choal, Ash Grass Rope, Aiden Grassrope, Aiden Preckwinkle, Carter Jones, Mason Ryan, and TaLeyna McBride-Wingert from Lyman County; Emily Grim and Eilie Talsma from Gregory; Lexi and Easton Schoenfelder from Parkston; Joseph Laprath from Colome; Berklee Mills from Platte-Geddes; and Harper Koch from Geroge McGovern Middle School in Sioux Falls.