Young's runners complete trek from UP
By ANDREW ROBERTS
Sentinel-Standard sports editor

IONIA - After a four-day journey through temperatures in the mid-90s and isolated rain storms, a group of runners from Ionia, Saranac and Potterville arrived back in Ionia Tuesday night.

Through the 402-mile run, the Ionia chapter of Habitat for Humanity will receive a donation of over $4,000 to go toward its next home, which the group will begin building this fall.

Ionia Cross Country and Boys Track Head Coach Chris Young put the event together, assembling the runners, mostly from Ionia, to take part.
“This helps teach the younger guys that part of growing up is servicing your community,” Young said. “That's what people see.”

Young also had three adult runners who participated in the trek, and served as chaperones.
Ionia Habitat for Humanity Board Member John Milewski said the efforts of the 16 runners is greatly appreciated by the organization, and shows how the Ionia Public Schools has established its students with a sense of community pride.

“At our board meeting today, we were excited about seeing these exceptional young people
get involved in the community,” he said. “It reflects on the school system and how they
have instilled the importance of servicing the community you live in into its students.”
To the high school athletes, the marathon run gave them a chance to socialize before their
offseason training schedule commences.

“It was a great experience and fun to hang out with the guys,” Ionia High freshman Don
Blight said.

Senior Cody Stebbins said the second day was a little tough, but things got easier on day three before scorching heat settled into the northern Lower Peninsula.

“I was a little sore on Sunday, but I felt fine after that,” he said. “Yesterday (Monday) the heat was horrible so we were a little tired.”

Applications for families to move into the Habitat house are available at Ionia County
National Bank and Independent Bank branches around Ionia County.