A Missoula fraternity's new chapter is carrying on the old tradition of going to Bozeman in spirit of Saturday's big football game. But, they're not traveling in a conventional way.
Sigma Phi Epsilon left town two days before the big game in Bozeman. But they had to…because they're running there.
“The plan for the next couple of days is to have somebody running for the next 48 hours at all times” explained Sigma Phi Epsilon President Colin McLean, who’s leading the way for the group's two-day venture as runners take turns along the 200 mile stretch of Interstate 90.
The running shift times are bound to change, especially as they make their way over the passes. But the group says they'll be happy, as long a someone is running at all times.
“We kind of rotate so you kind of run 'til you're tired” fraternity member Randy Khong said. “Get back in the car, someone else runs, and once people get tired you kind of switch out."
There will be just 16 runners from the fraternity, and none of them have done the run before. But, they're working as a brotherhood with past alumni and the MSU chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon, who will be waiting in Bozeman for their arrival.
“I'm just hoping they have a lot of hot chocolate and lots of nice couches for us to relax on when we get there” McLean said hopefully.
Following the 200 mile run, most of the members told us that they'll probably be too tired to go the big game on Saturday afternoon.
The fraternity collected pledge donations that will benefit Watson Children's Shelter and they plan to reach Bozeman around 11 a.m. on Saturday.
They'll also be trying to convince the MSU chapter to run to Missoula for the game next year.
- Breanna Roy reporting from KPAX in Missoula
(from November 19, 2009) A new chapter of a Missoula fraternity is carrying on an old tradition by going to Bozeman in spirit of Saturday's football game, but they're not traveling in a conventional way.
They're running there. Sigma Phi Epsilon left the Adams Center on Thursday afternoon and members are taking turns running along the 200 mile stretch of Interstate 90 all the way to Bozeman.
They have sixteen runners to rotate and plan to have someone running at all times, even through the night. A new car will replenish runners every four hours.
Since all members of the group are new, they didn't quite know what to anticipate before the race.
"I'm expecting to be incredibly tired and incredibly cold, but besides that - those are the negatives - the pros will be I'm expecting to have a good time with everybody I'm with” Sigma Phi Epsilon President Colun McLean told us before embarking on the trip.
The money the fraternity raised through pledges will go to Watson Children Center in Missoula. The runners expect to arrive in Bozeman by 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Donations are accepted at http://www.runtobozeman.com
- Breanna Roy reporting from KPAX in Missoula
(from November 16, 2009) A University of Montana fraternity is making a "Run to Bozeman" to benefit Missoula's Watson Children's Shelter.
Sigma Phi Epsilon holds the fundraiser every other year when the Griz-Cat game is in Bozeman. Fraternity members will take turns running four-hour shifts along the 201-mile stretch of Interstate 90 to Bozeman.
Watson Children's Shelter has a capacity of 16, but 130 children applied for placement in 2008.
"The run isn't only important for us as a chapter, but is important for Missoula as a community," said Colin McLean, President of the UM chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon. "Watson Children's Shelter is trying to build a second and much-needed facility to house more children in need. While the overwhelming demand for this type of establishment may never be appropriately met, Watson's is taking a step in the right direction, and we, as a fraternity, couldn't be more proud or happier to help out with their cause."
Donations are accepted at http://www.runtobozeman.com
