Forty teams compete at Trail of Tears Yak 'n' Run to benefit St. Jude

JACKSON -- Forty one-person and two-person teams competed Saturday all in the name of charity at the second annual Yak 'n' Run.

The event raises funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, and was at Trail of Tears State Park.

The competition was comprised of a 2.25-mile "moderately technical" trail run and .7-mile kayak adventure at Trail of Tears' Lake Boutin.

Gina White assisted runners while representing St. Jude Children's Research Hospital-St. Jude Heroes, runners who fundraise for the hospital.

White said participants started at Lake Boutin in kayaks, exited at the ramp with help from volunteers, "then they run down the trail."

Kasie Essner follows a trail through the woods during a 2.25-mile run in MyTeam Triumph's second annual Yak n Run event Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018 at Trail of Tears State Park.BEN MATTHEWS ~ bmatthews@semissourian.com

The event was scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., but event coordinator Debbie Leoni said the contestants arrived early, so she went ahead and gave the OK to start the competition.

Not everyone began at the same time, according to White. She said contestants were sent off in six "waves," at different intervals because of the high number of kayaks and as an effort to reduce the risk of "people running into each other."

She also said kayaks were provided to participants who didn't have one of their own.

"We supplied them with inflatables, and we let them go first," White said. "There's a five-minute gap and then between the other waves with the regular kayaks there's a one-minute gap."

Ashley Miller and Bill Shellrepresented "Team Cool," with this year being Miller's first time to participate.

Rebecca Nesbit, center left, and Patrick Nesbit, far right, exit their kayaks to embark on a 2.25-mile trail run during MyTeam Triumph's second annual Yak n Run event Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018 at Trail of Tears State Park.BEN MATTHEWS ~ bmatthews@semissourian.com

Miller said she decided to take part in the event because "it sounded fun" and for extra practice.

"I'm training for the St. Jude half-marathon. So I figured it would be a good way to break it up," Miller said.

First-timer and one-woman team Jill Eldridge of Jackson said even though she participated in Saturday's event solo, she does "do a lot of events with Team Triumph."

There were several different options for participating, Eldridge explained, but she chose to take part in both the kayak portion and running.

"You could do what I did, which was the whole match by yourself. Or some were two-people teams with one kayak and then when they brought the kayak up here the other took off running," she said. "This was my very first time ever kayaking, too."

Kim Spear of Cape Girardeau carries a kayak after MyTeam Triumph's second annual Yak n Run event Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018 at Trail of Tears State Park.BEN MATTHEWS ~ bmatthews@semissourian.com

White said after her team signed up for the St. Jude Memphis Marathon in December, they decided to commit to the fundraising.

"This is to raise money for St. Jude," White said. "There are different increments; mine is $3,000, and the other two girls' are $4,200."

She said the event began last year because of Leoni -- originally from Wisconsin -- approaching White about wanting to host a charitable event featuring running and kayaking in Southeast Missouri.

White said last year's even draw a bit larger crowd, but. she wasn't troubled with the turnout and said she understood it could be weather-related or because there are several other local events happening at the same time.

According to participant Kristie Milam, proceeds from the event include registration fees, one-time donations at the day of the event and sponsorships gathered along the way.

Leoni said "amazing" volunteeer first-responders from East County Fire Protection District and Gordonville Fire Protection District ensured a safe course.

"The people told me last year that they never felt so protected in a trail race," added Leoni. "Everything is perfect, and we ended up with a beautiful day."

Overall male and female champions for the day were Robert Bunger with a combined time of 32 minutes, 29 seconds and Whitney Oloughlin with a combined time of 34 minutes, 21 seconds.

Complete results can be found at the event's Facebook page.

jhartwig@semissourian.com

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