Sunrise Stampede run going virtual to raise money for Teacher Innovation Grant Program

This year’s Sunrise Stampede will be the first in the fundraiser’s 35-year history to go entirely virtual. 

The Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley run raises money to provide grants to teachers looking to innovate and support students with special needs. In prior years, the run has been held with a defined course and date, but the novel coronavirus pandemic necessitated a change. 

Participants will register online and run on their own time. Registration for the event closes at noon Wednesday, with the dates for the run set for Thursday through Saturday. Runners can plan their own 2-mile or 10k route using a smartphone or smartwatch app, some of which offer compatibility to upload times and distances directly to the Sunrise Stampede website.

Education Foundation Executive Director Josh Atherton, along with his staff and volunteers, struggled with plans for the race as the pandemic took hold. Though initially considering canceling the race, they made the move to virtual to provide the best opportunity for fundraising.

 “It’s hard, of course. We would prefer to be in person, to see our supporters and participants,” Atherton said. “It’s a great way for the foundation to promote St Vrain Valley schools and special education programs in the district. The reality is that we want to ensure that the progress we’ve made with the Sunrise Stampede continues.”

The run raises about $40,000 a year.  All proceeds go to the Teacher Innovation Grant  Program, which awards teachers amounts ranging from $500 to $2,000. 

“It’s important for the general public to understand Teacher Innovation grants are not replacing district funding,” Atherton said. “This provides seed money for teachers to enhance the student experience.”

The Sunrise Stampede, and the yield from the collective miles run, provide vital funding for teachers, he said. 

Examples highlighted by the Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley in an email last month include Longmont High School special education teacher Kim Cash using a grant to purchase adapted physical education equipment, which allows students greater independence and success when playing with their peers. 

Amy Holle, a special education teacher at Niwot High School, turned grant money into gift cards so special needs students could shop in stores, to both support local businesses and learn valuable life skills for budgeting and meal planning.

And Mead High School band director Chad Lemons used a grant to purchase uniforms and equipment for the Unified Percussion Ensemble, connecting students with disabilities to student mentors for musical performance. 

Longmont United Hospital has sponsored the first 200 student registrations for the virtual run. After those first 200, SVVSD students can register for $15. All students will receive a Sunrise Stampede T-shirt for registering, which are available to adults as well for an added fee. There also are awards for the virtual race, including a drawing in which all participants will be entered to win gift cards from local businesses.

Adult registration is $30. For registration and T-shirt ordering information, click here.

Atherton encouraged runners, walkers and supporters to observe coronavirus safety practices during their runs and to share their event on social media using the tag #sunrisestampede. 

A live broadcast is planned for Saturday, but details are not yet available. Results will be announced on Aug. 9. For more information on the broadcast and results, as well as on entering race times, click here.