Red Lodge, MT – The 21st Annual Fun Run for Charities is set to take place on Labor Day weekend, Saturday, August 31st at Lion’s Park. This year’s event holds special significance as it celebrates the unwavering dedication and participation of Dave Stauffer and his wife, Sue Bury, two pillars of the Red Lodge community.
Tracy Timmons, Executive Director for the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation, and Laura McHugh, the Fun Run for Charities Coordinator, recently sat down with Dave to reminisce about his journey and contributions to the event. Dave has participated in every Fun Run Event since its inception, and despite his recent battle with prostate cancer, he is determined to run this year’s race.
Reflecting on the very first Fun Run, Dave shared two vivid memories. “I remember Hope Smith as the announcer. She did an amazing job leading the race countdown without any starting gun or megaphone,” he recalled. Another cherished memory was the after-party at Don and Sally Martin’s home, the Lone Pine Lodge. “Sue was one of the organizers, which is how I got an invite. The after-party and celebration have always been my favorite part of running events,” Dave remarked.
Dave fondly remembers the finish line at Lion’s Park, describing it as spectacular year after year. He also enjoyed the camaraderie, good food, free burgers grilled by the Lion’s Club, colorful booths, and the high spirits of everyone at the event. “It’s always wonderful to see old friends and make new connections,” he said. Tracy Timmons added, “The energy of everyone being together is barely describable.”
Dave began his running career later in life, in his 50s, and the Fun Run 5k often served as preparation for the Chicago Marathon in October. “The Fun Run 5k helps me get a feel for my strides, footfall, pacing, and my body’s interaction with race pace,” Dave explained. “I like to put in full effort on the uphill during the first half of the race and coast down at the turnaround point. It feels effortless.” Despite his current health challenges, Dave is set to join the starting line for this year’s event.
In 2016, Dave and Sue sponsored the two-mile walk event, naming it “2 Jims 2 Mile” in honor of their fathers, both named Jim. Their fathers lived through the Depression and World War 2 and worked hard to provide better lives for their children than they had lived themselves. Jim Bury, a WWII veteran, was a B-29 tail gunner, while Jim Stauffer, a recent college grad in civil engineering, was kept out of combat to work in a factory making the P38 combat fighter. The 2 Jims 2 Mile sponsorship is a tribute to their fathers’ legacies.
For Dave, Sue, and many in the community, the Fun Run represents a constant in their lives. They feel it is something they can count on. Dave eagerly anticipates reuniting with old friends like Merv Coleman, Mark Shubert, Sarah Ewald, and Hope Smith at the event. “Seeing old friends year after year strengthens the bonds of the community, and I hope that stays forever,” Dave said. He is particularly looking forward to catching up with Tracy Timmons during his visit to Red Lodge.
Dave and Sue moved to Red Lodge on December 12th, 1998. Dave served on the Red Lodge City Planning Board from 1999 to 2003, at which time he became the Red Lodge city planner, a role he cherishes as his “favorite job ever.” During his tenure from 2003 to 2006, Dave’s “favorite project ever” was playing a role in integrating the new hospital and high school within city limits. Sue’s conciliatory nature made her Dave’s “essential coach” in these huge and complex projects.
Now residing in Denver for Dave’s cancer treatment, Dave and Sue’s return to Red Lodge for the Fun Run is highly anticipated. The community looks forward to honoring their longstanding involvement and celebrating their enduring spirit.
The 21st Annual Fun Run for Charities promises to be a memorable event on Labor Day Weekend in Red Lodge, MT, made even more special by the presence of these dedicated community members.