At 86 years old, Chuck has a goal of running a race in all 50 states. This year, he traveled all the way from Texas to take on the inaugural Rainy Lake Medical Center Foundation Big Catch 10K — his 31st state and 655th race overall. He loved the race, and he loved International Falls.
But Chuck wasn’t the only one with a story.
There were people running in honor of loved ones. People running in memory of someone they’ve lost. People showing up to support friends, family and neighbors. And people simply challenging themselves to cross a finish line.
We’d love to hear your story. Tell us why you participated in the Big Catch 10K or Color 5K, who you were running for, or what the day meant to you. These are the stories that inspire organizers to keep dreaming bigger and growing events like this.
The Big Catch 10K and Color 5K raise funds for Rainy Lake Medical Center’s Chemotherapy and Infusion Department. Keeping this vital service local is essential, and the support of the community and beyond helps make it possible for patients to receive this important care close to home.
Rainy Lake Medical Center Foundation board members and event organizers are incredibly grateful to the race sponsors, volunteers, participants and everyone who came out to cheer and support the event. And a very special thank you to the International Falls Bass Championship for welcoming the race as part of this premier community event and helping us bring people from near and far to International Falls.
What started as our first Big Catch 10K and Color 5K has already become something bigger than a race.
It’s about community. It’s about care. It’s about the people behind every finish line.
And we can’t wait to see where it goes from here.
Several runners, volunteers and sponsors gather for a photo with Chuck Altman, center, following the Aug. 29 Big Catch 10k at Smokey Bear Park. The race was organized by the Rainy Lake Medical Center Foundation.
