Driftless Half-Marathon raises $3,600 donated to area non-profit organizations ...

The inaugural Driftless Half-Marathon Relay and 5K event held October 13 between Harpers Ferry and Lansing had more than 220 runners registered, with 187 of those actually finishing the event. The first-year event, under the direction of Amanda Hess, raised a total of $3,600 that has since been donated to area non-profit organizations such as the Lansing Fire Department, Lansing Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Harpers Ferry Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Lansing Lions Club, Lansing Swimming Pool Water Aerobics, Friends of Pool 9, Kee High School/Middle School Activities and the Waukon High School Girls Cross Country Club.

Pictured above at a meeting of the Lansing EMS and Fire organizations held November 14 are members of those organizations receiving their portion of the donated funds from Amanda Hess. Pictured left to right are Paul Manning, Stephanie Hill, Julie Welsh, Janet Hess, race director Amanda Hess, Ben Ghelf, Keith Schwartzhoff and Kenny Johnson. Sponsors that made the inaugural event possible included the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office, Lansing Lions Club, Alliant Energy Lansing Generating Station, Eagle Ridge Real Estate, Calhoun Creamery, Bluff Country Meats, LSCo Massage and Wellness, Welsh Family Organic Farms, S&S Houseboat Rentals, Gundersen Health Systems, Lansing Fitness Center, Kerndt Brothers Bank, Reel Core, Stoney Creek Inn, W&M Ag, New Albin Savings Bank, Brennan Construction, Veterans Memorial Hospital, Kwik Trip, Culligan, Ness Pumping, WW Homestead Dairy and Prairie Industries.

“The runner consensus was that the route was one of the most scenic they’ve done and the event was very well organized,” shared race director Amanda Hess. “We are already looking forward to next year’s event to be held October 12, 2019.” This first-year half-marathon event took place along the Great River Road (County Road X52), starting from its intersection with Collins Ridge Road about one mile north of Harpers Ferry and completing a loop on Red Oak Drive before traversing north to the finish line at the Softball Complex in Lansing. Submitted photo.