Twenty-four youth runners from six schools attended the 5th Annual Randall Creek Running Camp this past June 22-24. The running camp was organized by Andes Central/ Dakota Christian Cross Country Coach Larry Lucas.

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.

One session this year was called Yoga and Mental Concentration, put on the Ericka Kotab from Wagner. Other sessions focused on how to measure and run in your heart rate zone, and how to set and meet short term, mid-range, and long range goals.

The camp concluded on Friday morning with a 5K fun run followed by a motivational talk from Emma Thomas, a recent graduate from Gregory who will be running at the University of Sioux Falls. Ryan Fuks, cross country coach at Scotland, ended the camp with a talk on how to be ready for the cross country season.

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, swimming, fishing in the evenings, 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.

This year the cross country season begins with organized practices on August 11, the first meet day is August 26, and the state meet will be October 22. The runners who attending the camp left with positive goals for becoming better distance runners. Coaches at the camp were Meike Slaba from Wagner, Brittany Schoenfelder from Andes Central/Dakota Christian, Joel Milton from Lyman County, and Lori Kinsey and Jane Tuttle from Burke.

Runners and coaches who attended the camp were: Lexi Schoenfelder, Makayla Jones, and Easton Schoenfelder from Andes Central; Teddy Slaba, Presley Slaba, and Jackson Rolston from Wagner; Garner Burrus, Brechen Bolander, Avery Zeisler, Taylor Zeisler, Bella Duerfeldt, and Izzak Koenig from Burke; Autumn Baker, Lily Baker, Taya Chelmo, and Daniel Leiferman, David Lieferman from Kimball/White Lake; Memphis Choal, Ash Grass Rope, Carter Jones, Austin House, and Mason Ryan from Lyman County; and Harper Koch and Dillon Wolf from Geroge McGovern Middle School in Sioux Falls.

Special thanks to the Andes Central Athletic Boosters for their support to the running camp.