New cross-country scholarship athletes announced
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News from the founders of the Beaverhead Marathon at UM Western
DILLON — Founders of the Beaverhead Marathon Cory Birkenbuel, Dylan Zitzer and Casey Parrott have announced the establishment of a new scholarship for cross-country student athletes. The scholarship will be awarded for the first time in spring 2019.
The first Beaverhead Marathon event was held in May 2018, which featured a full and half marathon with over 80 people running in the first race. The route for the marathon invited participants to explore the beauty and history of Beaverhead County including the Horse Prairie Campground area near where Lewis and Clark met the Shoshone people and received horses to cross the Continental Divide, continuing along the Beaverhead River and Barretts Park, and ending in downtown Dillon.
Participants came from all over the United States and each of them supported local businesses while staying in Dillon for the event.
“A portion of each future race’s profits will be donated to the scholarship, and we invite anyone who would like to donate to the scholarship fund to do so as well,” said Birkenbuel.
The Montana Western Foundation was able to provide matching funds in order to provide $2000 for scholarships for Cross Country student athletes each year.
According to Cross Country Coach Dylan Zitzer, coaching at the college level has been a goal of his for many years, and the scholarship will help to support student athletes who will have a positive impact on the program and Montana Western as a whole. “My belief is that cross country and track are excellent vehicles to empower young people and help them build self-confidence,” said Zitzer.
Foundation Director Roxanne Engellant was excited about the scholarship’s impacts. “I see firsthand how scholarships impact our students and this is certain to make a difference in the lives of our student athletes,” Engellant said.
“This scholarship will allow student athletes to receive a high-quality education at Montana Western and increase opportunities at UMW for future students,” said Casey Parrott, Sports Information Director at Montana Western.
The next Beaverhead Marathon event will be a 10K, 5K and kid’s race held on October 27, 2018. The Halloween-themed event, co-sponsored by the Kiwanis and Beaverhead Brewery, will help to support both the Kiwanis and the Cross Country Scholarship fund. Next year’s Beaverhead Marathon will take place on May 18, 2019, with further information to be announced.
For more information, please visit the Beaverhead Marathon Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RunTheBeav/ or email: beaverheadmarathon@gmail.com. Contributions to the scholarship fund can be made at: www.umwfoundation.org or by calling 406-683-7305.
