BILLINGS – The 40th annual Heart & Sole Run started near St. Vincent Healthcare and finished up at Dehler Park Saturday morning. Held the day before Father’s Day, the run has become a tradition for many families.
“Fathers Day weekend, just getting out here and being fun and active as a family, and having a great day,” said Shannon George, YMCA youth development director.
“Anybody who’s out here participating, just out socializing with community and family is a neat thing,” said Chad Cady, St. Vincent Helpflight chief flight nurse.
Heart & Sole features 2-mile, 5-K and 10-K runs.
“You have your super athletic people and then again it was just fun to see all the different families pushing strollers, carrying them on their shoulders and walking, just trying to get to the finish line and being together,” George said.
The run is a great motivator for both adults and kids.
“It’s super important to encourage kids at a young age to be active and healthy,” said George. “Just showing the kids they can do something fun and be healthy.”
Many enjoy the tradition of the annual race.
“Especially when they hold it on Fathers Day weekend, there’s a lot of families that do the run together,” said Cady. “A lot of families are planning their weekend somewhat to start with the Heart and Sole Run.”
“It’s just something that we look forward to every year,” George said. “Just come out and do this race together. It’s kind of a family tradition for us to get out here and do the race as a family.”
The Active Life Festival at Dehler Park is part of the Heart and Sole Run.
The money raised from the run goes to help the YMCA and Billings Trailnet.
