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Posts Tagged ‘James Steller’

Coupeville runners make their mark

Posted in Running, tagged , , , , , on April 26, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Coupeville’s James Steller finished 13th in the main event at Sunday’s Whidbey Island Marathon.

The 2022 edition of the Whidbey Island Marathon brought out 860 runners across four races Sunday morning.

But we’re only here to talk about 16 of them.

If you listed Oak Harbor, or Mukilteo, or some random city in West Virginia as your hometown, good on you for lacing up your running shoes.

But here, on a blog called Coupeville Sports, the only people to get their names published are those who actually listed Cow Town as their residence.

Want to see the other 844 names? Pop over to:

https://raceday.enmotive.com/#/events/2022-whidbey-island-marathon/results

 

And now, our Coupeville results:

 

5K:

Amaya Schaffeld (55th) 33:32
Rebecca Roberts (85th) 36:17
Amanda Schaffeld (95th) 38:15
Lauren Belfor (129th) 43:59
Marilyn Ferguson (158th) 50:34
Carolyn Horning (177th) 55:59

 

10K:

Kendall Parrett (125th) 1:11:31
Patricia Hernandez (195th) 1:36:58
Anthony Hernandez (196th) 1:36:58
Terri Eggers (204th) 1:43:06
John Eggers (205th) 1:43:09

 

Half Marathon:

Samuel Spanovich (93rd) 1:59:08
Samuel Perry (155th) 2:09:33
Daria Higman (216th) 2:19:32
Kay Babst (335th) 3:28:55

 

Marathon:

James Steller (13th) 3:37:17

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Coupeville athletes raise $16,000 for students

Posted in Fundraisers, tagged , , , , on September 5, 2021| Leave a Comment »

A pack of runners pounds the pavement Sunday morning. (Photos courtesy James Steller)

Two wheels and a license to thrill.

They hit the road for a good cause.

A pack of local athletes ran and biked Sunday, raising money for the Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools.

Known this year as the Coupeville Run, Ride, and Reunite Fundraiser, the event is in its fifth go-round.

Participants and contributors raised close to $16,000 this year, which will go to help local students.

“The community was amazing,” said event organizer James Steller. “And they turned out in force to make a memorable day in participation.

“This is the most beautiful town in the world,” he added. “Thank you all so much for the support and hope to see you next year!”

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Run, bike, support students

Posted in Fundraisers, Running, tagged , , , , , on August 2, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Participants in a previous Circumnavigate Whidbey fundraiser stop for a pic. (Photo courtesy James Steller)

Same fundraiser, different look.

After years of conducting “Circumnavigate Whidbey,” a 120-mile, two-day odyssey, organizers are going with a streamlined, easier-on-the-body event this time around.

The event, which raises money for the Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools, will be known this year as the “Coupeville Run & Ride (and Reunite).”

Held Sunday, September 5, the fundraiser features a six-mile run, an 11.5-mile bike, and a celebration in the town park afterwards.

It’s not a competitive race, as everyone participating sticks together.

Things kick off in the Coupeville Elementary School parking lot at 9:15 AM, with runners departing the track oval at 9:30.

“Lace up your shoes and join us for a leisurely 10K around the prairie,” said organizer James Steller. “Highlighted by Ebey’s Landing, the view of the prairie, the sound, and Rainier in the distance, it’s a painter’s delight and we get to enjoy this every day!”

After the run, participants will move to their bikes for a jaunt which will head back through Ebey’s Landing, go past Fort Casey and Crockett Lake, then finish back at the school.

“Ten-speeds, dirt bikes, E-Bikes — they are all welcome,” Steller said.

Things will finish with a casual celebration at Coupeville Town Park, with hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and water for everyone.

Even if you’re not up to doing all three parts, you can join.

“You are welcome to do one or the other — i.e., you can just bike — or just hang out!,” Steller said.

Organizers are asking for everyone to use the event’s website to sign up, however, so they can get a feel for how many people are likely to be in attendance.

You can participate without donating, and you can donate to the fundraiser without participating.

For those who choose to donate, you get one raffle entry for each $100 pledged.

The raffle winner, who will be announced on Facebook Live during the celebration in the park, receives a 2-night stay at the Ocean Bluff Farm Guesthouse in Coupeville for two people.

Started in 2017, “Circumnavigate Whidbey” has raised over $100,000, with the money going for teacher grants for educational enrichment, college scholarships, and financial resources for students in need of equal access.

The Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools has been operating since 1997.

During the 2020-2021 school year, the foundation was able to provide key support for local schools as they dealt with the pandemic.

Scholastic enrichment, technology (WiFi hot spots and cameras), and social-emotional tools were funded with this support.

 

For more info, to donate, or to sign-up to participate in the event, pop over to:

Coupeville Run & Ride (and Reunite) (4coupevilleschools.org)

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“We are determined to do all we can”

Posted in Fundraisers, tagged , , , , on August 11, 2020| Leave a Comment »

The Circumnavigate Whidbey fundraiser is still going on in the age of coronavirus, but everyone will stay further apart than in this pic from last year. (Photo courtesy James Steller)

Through rain, wind, or COVID-19, they go on.

“Circumnavigate Whidbey,” a fundraiser for Coupeville students, is still a go in the age of coronavirus, but this year’s event will operate with an emphasis on social distancing.

This is the fourth go-round for the event, which has previously raised $60,000+ for the Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools.

The money pulled in goes to support “teacher grants for educational enrichment, college scholarships, and financial resources for students in need to equally access activities and learning opportunities.”

With the payoff being such a positive one, the participants wanted to make sure and keep the event going, said organizer James Steller.

“2020 has been a year like no other – but we are bound and determined to do all we can for our community.”

The event will go off Sept. 5, with parents and supporters teaming up to pull off a 160-mile circumnavigation of Whidbey Island, each volunteer doing a separate section by running, riding a bike, or taking to the waters.

Steller will be joined (at a proper distance) by Andrew Wyman in Central Whidbey, while Pat O’Hara will be busy on the North end of the Island, and Neil Rixe will be getting after things down South.

Korianne Emerson and Alysha Best will be out on the water.

While they have a solid group, Steller and Co. are always on the outlook for more to join the effort.

If you’re athletic and interested, drop him an email at jsteller@hotmail.com.

The goal for this year is to raise at least $20,000, and there’s already a donor who has pledged to match every dollar donated to the campaign.

There’s also a sweet lil’ side prize being offered.

For every $100 you donate, you will get an entry into a raffle for a two-night stay for two people at the Ocean Bluff Farm guesthouse in Coupeville.

The winner will be announced at the conclusion of the event.

For much more info on what the foundation does, the circumnavigation event, and how to donate, pop over to:

https://www.4coupevilleschools.org/

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Big effort, bigger payout

Posted in Fundraisers, Running, tagged , , , , on September 1, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Heidi Mayne rises up out of the Whidbey waters as she and others complete a circumnavigation of the island, raising $27,000 for Coupeville teachers and students. (Photos by Morgan White and James Steller)

Getting ready for a run with a view.

The bike gang, hard at work.

Always fuel up before competing.

Attacking the hills and enjoying the new coating recently put down by county crews on the Kettles Trail.

Year three was a rousing success.

A group of Whidbey Island athletes successfully pulled off “Circumnavigate Whidbey 2019” this weekend, raising $27,000 for Coupeville students.

The event, started by James Steller, benefits the Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools, which provides support, grants, and scholarships.

Over the course of Saturday and Sunday, athletes ran, biked, and swam their way around Whidbey, traveling the complete length of one of the longest islands in the USA.

Andrew Wyman and Neil Rixe took home unofficial honors as iron men, with the former doing all sports and all distances, while the latter hit the bike like he was in the middle of the Tour de France.

“He biked a zillion miles and never lost speed. Superhuman!,” said an impressed Steller, who threw down the equivalent of two half Ironman Triathlons himself this weekend.

Pat O’Hara joined the core group for day one’s activities, while Greg White was in the thick of things on day two.

Also completing full legs (or more) were Grant Steller, Cole White, Jameson O’Hara, Korianne Emerson, Heidi Mayne, and Alysha Emerson Best.

Giving things a true family feel, kids of all ages jumped in to run bits and pieces of the event, making for “a lot of feels.” 

Pulling off a multi-day event required the help of a large, enthusiastic support crew.

Among those who gave up their holiday weekend to make the magic happen were chief planner Karen Price, support drivers Chic Merwine and Terry Welch, photographer to the stars Morgan White, and the indispensable duo of Amber Wyman and Holley Steller.

Shell Puget Sound Refinery, where James Steller works, made a substantial donation to the event, while money also came from a wide variety of others.

“It is not possible without our amazing community,” Steller said.

“I also want to thank the teachers and administrators of Coupeville Schools, who make a difference in our children’s lives every day!,” he added. “You are loved and appreciated and this is the least we can do for you!!!! Till next year!”

 

For more info on what the Community Foundation does, pop over to:

https://www.4coupevilleschools.org/

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