Yak 'n Run

Jacob Wiegand

Saturday, August 24, 2019

The third annual Yak 'n Run took place Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau County. The contest began with a kayak trip on Lake Boutin followed by a trail run. Debbie Leoni, race director for the Yak 'n Run, said all proceeds go to myTEAM Triumph.

Maria Grindstaff, originally of Patton, Missouri, and now Cape Girardeau, heads to shore during the third annual Yak 'n Run on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau County. Grindstaff has cerebral palsy and said she has been with myTEAM Triumph, the organization the race benefits, for about five years. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Jan Watson of St. Louis, right in kayak, speaks with Dave Hardesty of Cape Girardeau, left, near Watson's son Patrick Watson, standing in red, originally of St. Louis and now Cape Girardeau, before their start in the third annual Yak 'n Run on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau County. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Kayakers prepare to start the kayak portion of the third annual Yak 'n Run on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau County. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
In her first time kayaking, Linda Null of Wappapello, Missouri, is assisted into the water by Tim Urhahn of Oak Ridge, Missouri, during the third annual Yak 'n Run on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau County. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

A man watches kayakers during the third annual Yak 'n Run on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau County. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Dave Hardesty of Cape Girardeau paddles to shore during the third annual Yak 'n Run on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau County. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Sarah Thompson of Jackson starts the trail run during the third annual Yak 'n Run on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau County. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Kayakers paddle to shore during the third annual Yak 'n Run on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau County. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Scotty Reisenbichler of Jackson, in front of boat, and Tim Simmers of Cape Girardeau head to shore during the third annual Yak 'n Run on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau County. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

Wib Welker of Gordonville makes his way to the finish line during the third annual Yak 'n Run on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau County. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Chris Welker of Jackson heads to the finish line as Tyler Haff, 11, of Altenburg, Missouri, watches runners during the third annual Yak 'n Run on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau County. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)