North Dakota
Runnin O’ the Green has 700 register, founder says
JAMESTOWN – The founder of the Runnin O’ the Green said Sunday, March 15, that the Run did well in raising funds for cancer patients and Elks Camp Grassick.
Larry Knoblich said 700 people registered for the 47th annual pub crawl on Saturday, March 14, that stops at bars in Jamestown. Last year, 800 registered, The Jamestown Sun reported.
Winter weather was likely a factor in the number who registered, Knoblich said, along with other communities in North Dakota holding pub crawls as well.
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for Stutsman County from 10 a.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday. The weather service forecast snow accumulations from 2 to 6 inches and winds gusting as high as 40 mph.
“I think with the weather the way that it was, that kind of, I think, had an effect on it,” said Lt. Andrew Staska of the Jamestown Police Department, who was working a regular shift Saturday and not specific to the Run. “I didn’t see quite as many people out, definitely not as many people out walking around. I think it kept people inside a lot.”
John M. Steiner / The Jamestown Sun
Staska said he didn’t see too many issues with the Run. There are more law enforcement officers working on the day of the Run, he said.
JPD preliminary numbers for calls for service on Saturday were:
- 35 traffic stops
- 3 arrests, including one DUI, a warrant and a summons issued for trespassing on railroad property, Staska said
- 3 vehicle accidents
- 3 suspicious persons
- 1 violation of disorderly conduct restraining order
- 2 moving violations with impaired drivers
- 1 narcotics investigation
- 1 disorderly conduct
- 5 motorist assists
- 1 parking violation
“There were quite a few of them that were directly related to the Run,” Staska said of the calls for service, but noted that the traffic stops and accidents could have occurred anywhere. He said there was quite a bit of vehicle traffic, which is typical.
Knoblich said that although he thought the event to raise funds went well, he would have liked to have raised more.
“I would like to get more of the community involved because it is for a very good thing,” he said.
He said he’s hoping to give $25,000 again to Elks Camp Grassick, as well as $10,000 for local cancer patients. He is still expecting some funds to come in, he said.
Knoblich said the people he visited with along the route were happy with the event.
“In light of everything, I guess I was surprised that we did as well as we did,” he said.
John M. Steiner / The Jamestown Sun
He said there had to be at least 500 or more people who did not pay the $10 registration fee for the Run. While it’s fine that they joined in to have a good time and it helps the pubs along the route do well with extra customers, the point of the event that began 47 years ago is to have a good time and raise money for charity, he said. He said he was a little disappointed people would not donate $10 for the registration fee that is given away to others and stays in the community. No money raised goes to administrative fees, he said.
“I really would like to see this become a citywide event, that is, people realizing where the money goes,” he said. “And basically it stays.”
Knoblich said just in the last 15 years, $500 checks have been given to 253 cancer patients.
“And that’s a good thing, that’s something we should all feel good about … helping somebody out, by merely donating $10, we’re going to give some cancer patient $500,” he said. “That’s a good feeling … and I would think that everyone would feel good about helping someone out.”
John M. Steiner / The Jamestown Sun
Camp Grassick provides a fun camp for individuals with physical and mental challenges, he said.
Knoblich said he hopes each year is better than the current one for the Run.
“Just looking forward to next year,” he said. “Hope to see you next year.”
Kathy Steiner has been the editor of The Jamestown Sun since 1995. She graduated from Valley City State College with a bachelor’s degree in English and studied mass communications at North Dakota State University, Fargo. She reports on business, government and community topics in the Jamestown area. Reach her at 701-952-8449 or ksteiner@jamestownsun.com.