The RADD team: Front Row: (left to right) Marisa McAndrew, Amber Dowling, Jonelle Smith, Heather Hilmer, Myra Blackdeer, Donovan Cloud, Verna Blackdeer. Back (Left to right) Duncan Rave, Vance Swallow, Larry Garvin II, Ashley Blackcoon.

Led by Larry Garvin II, who finished in three hours, 56 minutes, all eleven Ho-Chunk youth marathon runners, RADD (Runners Against Drunk Driving), completed the 2001 Honolulu Marathon held on December 9^th. For the third consecutive year, runners, aged 13-18, took up the challenge of completing the 26.2 mile run, an event that Coach Erwin Begay described "a rite of passage". As explained in earlier stories, RADD is about more than running, it’s about teamwork, devotion, dedication and taking responsibility toward accomplishing a goal that a few short months ago seemed for some, impossible. Begay believes that by finishing the race, the runners, most of who are at-risk kids, can take satisfaction in learning that hard work will allow them to reach their goals, adding they learned and now realize "there are no more excuses in life".

After watching the team prepare for the race by running more than 260 miles a month for the last three months, Begay was confident all the members had the self-esteem and courage needed to finish. Lacking the high-tech equipment worn by other runners, members were not expected to win, they were expected to do their best and finish. On the day of the race, though six hours had passed and four of his runners remained on the course, Begay was certain "they’re all going to do it". He was right. Nearly seven and a half hours after he started, Ashley Blackcoon, holding aloft the team flag handed to him minutes earlier by Assistant Coach Lani Blackdeer, crossed the finish line as teammates cheered.

Prior to race day, the team spent three days enjoying Hawaii. Together they visited shopping malls, enjoyed the surf and most notably visited a school where Hawaiian youths are immersed learning their language, the type of program that Garvin and fellow runner, Vance Swallow would like to see created back home.

On Saturday afternoon a beach ceremony honored Louella Blackdeer, a former runner killed by a drunk driver in May 2000, and the spirit behind the team’s name and flag. Louella’s father Bennett handed each runner tobacco to be thrown in the waves and her mother, Lani placed a lei in the ocean, later watching it float away.

Louella’s death provides a grim reminder that life is short and her cousin, marathoner Verna Blackdeer reminded the team "to live your live to the fullest, reach for the stars, push yourself, run for her." The next morning 11 runners reached, pushed and ran. THEY DID IT.

Begay, who constantly tells the youth to transfer the discipline needed to complete a marathon into daily life, was proud of his runners. He stated that in addition to training for the race, the team spent months raising money to make the trip, about $1000 apiece. The sacrifices made to sell raffle tickets and cook the meals at General Council and other events, were sacrifices made by all and brought the members closer together and closer to reaching their goal. The lessons learned were another reminder that RADD is more than running.

The RADD members finishing were: Ashley Blackcoon, Myra Blackdeer, Verna Blackdeer, Donovan Cloud, Amber Dowling, Larry Garvin II, Heather Hillmer, Marisa McAndrew, Duncan Rave, Jonelle Smith and Vance Swallow.

While the goal was not winning, some of the members did place in their divisions. Garvin placed 13^th in the Males 15-19 Division, McAndrew and Myra Blackdeer placed 13^th and 14^th in the Female 14 and under Division and Hillmer placed 19^th in the Female 15-19 Division.

Parents, sponsors and chaperones who accompanied the team were: Bennett Blackdeer, Lani Blackdeer, Mark Butterfield (who completed the marathon), Debi Crowe, Angie Dowling, Larry Garvin Sr., Barb Rave, Jessie Rave, Maynard Rave Sr., Rodney Rave and Judy Whitehorse.

Returning to Black River Falls on December 11^th the team was greeted by President Troy Swallow, various legislators, friends and family. Representative Wade Blackdeer summed up the feeling of many, telling the runners "you made the Nation proud."

RADD runners at a "welcome home" banquet

President Troy Swallow welcomes the runners home

All 11 RADD runners completed the 26.2 mile marathon