STURGIS, S.D.– There was a crispness to the early summer morning air on July 30 welcoming 29 walkers and 19 runners who were preparing to participate in the 8th annual Brandon Delzer Legacy 5K.
photo by Tim Potts
Starting at SBHS, the course crossed Hwy. 34, wound through Ft. Meade, returning on the bike path back to where it began. This memorial walk/run has been an event held yearly since 2014 after the loss of Delzer in 2013.
“For many years, the Brandon Delzer Legacy 5K was organized by an SBHS student runner as a part of his or her senior project. This year many of the SBHS runners were participating in a camp at BHSU and were unable to help host the event,” Sandy Buchholz said.
Vonda Andersen, Buchholz and Meade County Extension Leader Jenny Voigt decided to make sure the Brandon Delzer Legacy 5K continued to be part of the Meade County Fair in 2022.
Activities for which he became well-known in the community included 4-H, rodeo, cross country and wrestling. According to the organizers, Delzer was an all-around athlete who was loved by the Sturgis community.
“We believe it is important to continue this event to honor Brandon’s life,” Buchholz said. “He was a kind, charismatic young man. Brandon’s smile was infectious and he drew people in. Brandon had an immense amount of talent, succeeding in most of his endeavors, but more importantly, he always worked to lift others up.”
Delzer sought to win, Buchholz said, by helping to encourage everyone else at the same time.
“He did what he could to help everybody become the best they could. He was a mentor and a role model, even as a freshman in high school,” Buchholz said. “Brandon had a positive impact on all who were lucky enough to cross his path or walk beside him.”
Before participants gathered at the starting line, Jarett Keffeler, former SBHS student and runner, started the 5K with a few stories about Brandon and a prayer.
Sponsors included Richter’s Tire and Exhaust, Liberty Chevrolet, County Drug, Pioneer State Bank, Jacob’s Auto Repair, HomeSlice Media Group, Loud American, Black Hills Gunstocks and Engraving, Fowler Insurance Agency, Sturgis Chiropractic, Northern Hills Veterinary Clinic, Sabers Agency, Emma’s Ice Cream, Lynn’s Dakotamart, Grocery Mart, Kick Start Travel Center, Sturgis Coffee Company, Black Hills Rally and Gold, Hotel Sturgis, Sunshine Sweets Bakery and INita Bag etc.
Medals were awarded for the top three participating runners in each of the five age divisions. The overall prize, a $50 gift card to Texas Roadhouse was received by Ty Petrocco who also took first place in his category, 13-18 year-old-males.
In the 13-18 category for females, sisters Josie Reedy and Emily Reedy tied for first place. Second place was captured by Berley Gill.
In the 19-29 male category, Jarrett Keffeler took first place followed by his brother Alec Keffeler. Gavin West landed third place. Females in the 19-29 category were Josie Kaufman in first place, Amanda Froelich second place and Jaelyn Lardy third place.
Winners in the 30-49 male category were Trev Fiedler with first place and Blake Proefrock in second place. Female winners were Erin Fiedler taking first place, Jennifer Johnson in second place and Kari Bates with third place.
Robert Haivala took first place and Marv Linn second place in the category of males over 50.
Proceeds benefited the Brandon Delzer Memorial Scholarship and Meade County 4-H.
