Bettendorf supports Run with Carl

Run with Carl, an annual Labor Day event in Bettendorf, took place on Monday, Sept. 2, at the Life Fitness Center. Many students from Bettendorf High School participated in the run and three BHS girls cross country runners won awards for their run times.

Run With Carl is an event in honor of Carl Schilling, a Pleasant Valley student who died in his freshman year due to a car-pedestrian accident. After Schilling’s death in 1994, his parents set up a fund that gives a scholarship to one Bettendorf or Pleasant Valley student in order to keep his memory alive.

This year, many students from BHS participated in the race. Katie Maher ran the 5K for the first time ever with a new personal record, Emi Howard ran the 5K for the third time, and Steph Rice ran the five mile for the fourth year in a row.

“I run because it's a family tradition, and it’s for a good cause that people should be more aware of,” Howard said.

Cross country runners were encouraged by their coaches to run the race, and BHS runners took home all three awards in the Female 19 and Under category for the five mile race; Hannah Beintema with first place, Samantha Foht with second and Layken Bytnar with third.

Bettendorf also had both dancers and cheerleaders volunteering at the event. The dancers were stationed at one of the water stops along the route, and the cheerleaders were making and handing out popcorn and snow cones.

“I love watching the little kids have fun dancing around to the music and seeing the runners feeling successful after they finish,” volunteer Reagan Terronez said.

BHS has had a large attendance in Run with Carl between participating and volunteering and are looking for more individuals in the future.

“I continue to run each year because I love the challenge of the course,” Rice said.

Steph Rice checks her time after crossing the finish line of the five mile race.