BILL SCHALOW

What did Bill do when his corporate job wasn’t fulfilling anymore? He pursued his passion for running and started a business. SoleMOTION Race Management now manages races across Minnesota and North Dakota – including the 6th Annual Burn the Bird 5/10k that will be co-hosted by the YMCA this Thanksgiving.

“Thanksgiving Day is one of biggest days for running/walking events and Fargo did not have an event. I wanted to partner with someone that could see the benefit of delivering this event. The YMCA made perfect sense. I set up a meeting with Paul Finstad– the YMCA’s former president – and he loved the idea.”

Bill has watched Burn the Bird grow from the beginning, with the first year bringing in about 450 runners and walkers, to 2017 which held over 1,000 people. “JJ & Danny from KFGO come out and get the crowd going with some up-beat music. We have many families that have made this a yearly event. We get a lot of walkers from kids in strollers to people in their 80’s.”

Bill’s been a dedicated Y presence for over 15 years, and is a great example of the family-focused heart the YMCA strives to foster. “It has great energy. I love seeing people dress up in Thanksgiving costumes. Most of all, I love seeing families come together and share some great family time together in a healthy way.”

Thank you Bill, for turning your love for races into opportunity to create community!