The mission of Treasure State Runners is to fundraise through footrace events in the Helena area for nonprofits who foster the importance and pursuit of physical, mental and emotional health.
We are the Treasure State Runners, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit comprised of Montana women dedicated to supporting the Helena community and sharing our love of running. What began as a fun run among friends has grown into something much greater. Through our nonprofit, we support local charities who champion women, children, and the importance of healthy relationships, bodies, and minds. Our goal is to embrace our passion and do something exceptional with it.
In October of 2022, we launched Just for the Helena of It. Our first event included both a Half Marathon and 5K race to benefit The Friendship Center. All profits from our event were donated directly to them. “The mission of The Friendship Center is to be a safe haven for those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The Friendship Center seeks to empower our community to flourish in relationships free from violence. All services are free and confidential, and they serve all victims and survivors – including men, women, and children of all ages.”
Our inaugural year empowered us to do more. We were strongly supported by our local community and thrilled by the interest we received nationally. With over 350 registered runners from 13 states, our 2022 event raised $17,000. The second annual Just for the Helena of It event in 2023 brought over 550 registered runners, added a new 10k race, and raised $24,000 for The Friendship Center. We know we can count on continued support from returning runners, sponsors, and volunteers. Knowing we started with just an idea and a strong passion, we are excited to see Just for the Helena of It grow in size and scope.
At Treasure State Runners we envision Just for the Helena of It as an annual event for the Helena community to look forward to each year. Just for the Helena of It has an undeniably wide appeal. Our USATF certified half marathon course attracts runners both locally and from across the country, while the family friendly 10k and 5k races appeal to runners and walkers of all ages, speeds, and fitness levels. Our post race celebration at the finish line includes local food trucks, booths by local PT clinics, as well as raffle giveaways made up of items generously donated by a myriad of Helena businesses. With such intense community support, this race has become something truly incredible while simultaneously providing a platform for nonprofits who empower and support local women and children.
With that in mind, we are proud to announce that in 2024 Girls Thrive will be joining The Friendship Center as a second beneficiary of Just for the Helena of It. “Girls Thrive envisions a world where girls grow up with confidence and understanding of their potential to overcome barriers, as well as become strong, healthy, community-minded women. Girls Thrive is on a mission to inspire girls to empower themselves through a variety of physical activities and educational lessons designed to promote self-confidence, self-esteem, and positive body image.”
From our 2024 event, 90% of the profits will be donated to The Friendship Center and 10% will be donated to Girls Thrive. Lace up your running shoes and help us reach our goal of raising $3,000 for Girls Thrive and $27,000 for the Friendship Center!
As Just for the Helena of It continues to grow, our goals will grow as well. Treasure State Runners’ long term goal is to be able to host several events each year. The goal of these running events will be to bring awareness and raise money for local beneficiaries that provide tangible services to individuals in Helena that enable and support a stronger and healthier community.