All photos by Derek Griffiths
Copyright 2004 / Colorado Runner

Photo prints from this event for sale! Click above logo to see all available photos.
Photo: Leslee Hemple is the first female in 22:19. Photo by Derek Griffiths / Colorado Runner

During the 2001-2002 school year, four students at Green Mountain High School (GMHS) in Jefferson County, Colorado, committed suicide in a nine-month time frame. The community, in general, but especially the high school community, was profoundly affected.

The Second Wind Fund was initiated by Green Mountain Presbyterian Church (GMPC) in September 2002 following these four suicides. On September 8, 2002, GMPC held a small walk/run in association with its annual church summer picnic. A few members planned the event over a short period of time, and the event was not publicized except for a few neighborhood flyers. Most of the 66 people that participated were GMPC members, or their friends. Still, due to the generosity of GMPC participants and those who gave them pledges, enough money was raised to be of help to GMHS students. We just didn't know how it would be used at that point!

After GMPC members met with high school counselors to determine how to best use the funds, Second Wind was made available to GMHS and its feeder schools in December 2002. After a few referrals were made, Second Wind began receiving calls from other schools requesting use of the fund. Due to the additional need for the fund, Second Wind was extended to Lakewood, Bear Creek, and Alameda High School students, as well as their feeder schools, in April and May 2003.

Because of the growing demand for the program, as well as the increasing number of people coming forward with offers to help, GMPC volunteers decided to redouble their efforts in an effort to make the run/walk larger in 2003. In May 2003, Second Wind partnered with The Jefferson Foundation, the oldest private nonprofit education foundation in Colorado. The Jefferson Foundation funds various programs for Jefferson County public school students, and offered to become Second Wind's fiscal agent and to assist with marketing the Second Wind program.

With a more sustained effort at publicity by GMPC volunteers and The Jefferson Foundation, as well as partnerships forged with area businesses, faith communities, and civic organizations, the 2003 Second Wind Walk/Run attracted 317 participants, with an additional 30 volunteers staffing the event. Everyone on hand was once again fed a picnic lunch, live music played, prizes were awarded for top pledge earners and fastest runners, and motivational and emotional speeches were given by several prominent community leaders. The event helped raise enough money was raised to expand the by-then depleted fund to more schools. As a result, in October 2003, Second Wind was expanded to Conifer, Evergreen, Golden, Jefferson, McLain Community, and Wheat Ridge High School students.

As of June 2004, 53 students have been referred by their school counselors through the fund.

Today, the fund is currently available to students in the following JeffCo Schools, and their feeder schools: Alameda High School, Bear Creek High School, Conifer High School, Evergreen High School, Golden High School, Green Mountain High School, Jefferson High School, Lakewood High School, McLain Community School, Wheat Ridge High School.

On Sunday, September 12, 2004, 1,000 people came together in an unprecedented statement in support for teen suicide prevention at the 3rd Annual Second Wind Walk/Run. With 900 walkers and runners (200 scored), and 100 volunteers also on hand, the crowd was approximately triple the size of last year's crowd.

On a brutally hilly course run throughout the Green Mountain neighborhood of Lakewood, Tyler Pennel prevailed in 19:31. He was followed closely by Chad Goins and Chris Ruthschild (19:42 and 19:48). For the women, Leslee Hampel cruised a 22:19 to take top honors. Katherine Fischer and Laura Baker battled for second and third, with Fischer prevailing in 23:06. Baker finished in 23:36.

Over $60,000 was raised through the event, which will allow the Second Wind Fund to expand to every school in Jefferson County.

1. People gather at the Green Mountain Presbyterian Chuch before the race


2. Tyler Pennel wins the Second Wind Fund 5K in 19:31


3. Chad Goins finishes second in 19:42


4. Chris Ruthschild finishes third in 19:48


5. Laura Barker and Christian Eaton at 2 miles


6. Cecelia Costelow making the turn at the bottom of the hill


7. 2 runners at the 2 mile water stop, with the mountains as a backdrop


8. A goup begins the long climb back up to the finish


9. Do you think hair is a wind resistance?


10. Getting ready for the post race BBQ

Full results can be found here.