NATE SOULES MEMORIAL FUN RUN SATURDAY

13 Jun NATE SOULES MEMORIAL FUN RUN SATURDAY

There’s a new race this summer in Telluride: The Nate Soules First Annual Memorial Fun Run and Kids Carnival. Organized by Rainbow Preschool’s Board, the race happens this Saturday, June 16, and raises money for Rainbow’s scholarship fund. Twenty-five percent of the funds raised will go directly to Ben Soules, whose father Nate died snowboarding in Bear Creek this year, and will help with his Rainbow tuition.

The race has something for everyone; serious runners can get a quick workout in as they run the 4.2 miles from Lawson Hill to Elks Park in town. Or parents can run while their kids bike beside them in the parent/kid division. At the end of the race, there’s a carnival with a bouncy castle, face painting, balloon art, snow cone machine, the works. There’s even an arts and crafts table where kids can decorate reusable shopping bags.

Last year, Rainbow, Rockies, and Rascals’ joint board held the race for the first time, and it got off to a rough start. The event was in September, and a freak snowstorm decimated the number of participants. This year, the board is hoping for a better turnout. “We hope that everyone makes it out to the race,” says Annie Carlson, Rainbow’s President of the Board and one of the principle organizers of the race. “It’s going to be a lot of fun and is a great cause.”

For working parents, the summer schedule presents some challenges, namely their kids are off and they aren’t. Carslon says that scholarship requests typically go up in the summertime. “Our hope is that with the money raised, we can meet many more families’ needs for childcare.” Other than this event, Rainbow’s scholarship fund depends on grants and on its only other fundraiser: a silent auction in the fall.

Annie Carlson says that the decision to honor Nate’s life with this race was an easy one. “Nate loved being outside,” Annie says. “The race celebrates his love for adventure and hopefully, will provide valuable assistance to Ben and other kids who attend Rainbow, Rascals, or Rockies.”

Signing up for the race is simple. Go to active.com (type in Nate Soules in the search box). Or show up by 8:15 at the Lawson Field on race day. Single entry tickets are $35. Parent/ kid combos are $40. Race participants get free entry to the carnival; others can purchase carnival tickets for $5. 

If you can’t make it to the event, donations are greatly appreciated. Send checks made payable to Rainbow Preschool, PO Box 1127, Telluride, CO 81435.

To learn more about this great event happening Saturday, listen to this podcast with Annie Carlson.