This Saturday, June 10th, runners and pancake eaters will descend upon the Victor Fire Hall for a 5K race and pancake breakfast. Sponsored by Heart of the Valley CPR, the event is a way to show appreciation and support for the local law enforcement community.
Kristy Gaul owns Heart of the Valley CPR and is also a volunteer on the Victor Fire Department as a first responder and is just beginning her training to become a fire fighter. She also has been employed through the EMS department at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital. She says that no matter what the call, she, and everyone associated with emergency calls, can count on the law enforcement community to ‘have their backs’ on calls ranging from car accidents to structure fires.
Gaul got the idea for some sort of an appreciation and support event when Montana Highway Patrol trooper Scott Bennett was injured in a car crash in March. Then, with national events weighing upon her, Gaul decided to put on the event. Interest grew even more when Broadwater County deputy Mason Moore was fatally shot in mid May.
“Everyone wants to show how much they appreciate our law enforcement community,” said Gaul. “This is a way to show that.”
The Stevensville Police Department Reserves are helping with the event and handling the financial end of things. There is a cost of $25 for the race which includes a ‘finisher’ medal and a pancake breakfast. There is a $5 suggested donation for non runners who only want to eat pancakes and eggs at the Victor Firehall.
Gaul said that Ron Capps of the Stevensville Reserves and Officer Sam Fawcett of the Stevensville Fire Department are working closely with Gaul on the event. They have contacted all of the fire departments in the valley to get them involved. They want to have vehicles from each of the departments lining the route on Saturday. The route runes north of Victor off Meridian Road and up Sweathouse Creek to Victor Cemetery Road and back into Victor. They also hope to have some inspirational signs by school kids on the route.
The money raised from the event will stay here in the valley and be used for local needs of law enforcement personnel. Upwards of 60 to 90 runners are expected to run and about 200 people or more for the breakfast. Registration will open at 8am on Saturday and the race will begin at 9am. For more information, please contact Kristy Gaul at 546-1051.