Coronavirus Concerns Lead To Cancellation Of 2020 Rotary Colter Run

     CHADRON - The Chadron Rotary Club has decided to cancel the 2020 Chadron Rotary Colter Run, held during Fur Trade Days, because of the continuing public health threat of coronavirus COVID-19.

     “We have made the decision to cancel after careful deliberation, knowing that our foremost responsibility is to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our 2020 runners, our volunteers, our broader running community and society at large,” says Chadron Rotary Club president Trish Martens.

      The Colter Run has been a special event for 40 years, bringing togethre the running community in northwest Nebraska on the Saturday morning of Fur Trade Days.

     Rotary International, over those same 40 years, has led efforts to eradicate polio by helping immunize over 2.5 billion children in 122 countries and contributing over $1.8 billion dollars towards the effort.

     Chadron Rotary has been a part of that effort and took it into consideration when deciding to cancel this year's race.

     “Rotary is a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, and a major contributor to global health efforts," says Maretns. "The Chadron Rotary Club does not believe that bringing together 200-plus runners in the midst of a global pandemic is in line with the values of Rotary.”

     Rotarian Ben Watson, a Colter Run organizer the past 2 years and son of race co-founder George Watson, says “We are saddened we aren’t going to continue the race experience this year, but are already planning and looking forward to a bigger and better event in 2021."