Around 1:00 PM on September 8th, 2024, over 250 excited runners and walkers lined up at the start line of a 3K race, which took place at St. Francis Middle School’s Track. According to the principal of Billings Central Catholic High School, Mr. Nolan Trafton, Running on Faith this year was full of promises since they decided to add a few changes.
Foot racers officially entered the race in the early afternoon, made their way all around the school’s building, and finished strong at Kate Fratt Way. McKade Vaira, who has been participating in Running on Faith since elementary school, and also took 2nd place last year (09:42), had an astonishing comeback winning first place in the men’s division with a time of 09:27. Only about 10 seconds behind the champion, Aramis Riveria who secured the second place with a time of 9:41. Rising stars Haylie Swenson and Marilyn McKenzie, two middle schoolers, were the first to reach the finish line in women’s division with the times of 10:30 and 11:23. Shayla Brittain, a junior at BCCHS, who is also a captain of the school’s girl cross country team, had been a strong source of motivation for her mom, Stacey Brittain, from the beginning to when they completed the race as the clock timed 13:20. “It was fun to go out here with my daughter, Shayla,” Stacy Brittain, expressed her feelings after the race. “It’s good to see everyone out here, all the enthusiasm, and support for Central and St. Francis,” she added.
As participants made their way down to the St. Francis’ Track Field right at 2:00 PM, they could sense the lively, “busy yet fun” atmosphere among the nineteen booths. Ten of them were from BCCHS’ clubs and sports teams, while the remains were hosted by attendees from preschool to high school.
According to Nolan Trafton, Running on Faith has had a few slight changes in recent years. They decided to add the carnival and the signature RAM family barbecue after the race which polished the whole event with many more colors of experiences and fun. Having overseen the face painting booth for 5 years, Mrs. Kari Adams – the head teacher of art department activities at BCCHS – gave her thoughts about how face painting contributed to running on faith, “…when they see these old high school kids are throwing themselves out there, having fun, they’re little less shy than they would have felt before.” Moreover, there were frisbee tossing games held by Environmental Club and Mrs. Krista Cunningham, BCCHS Student Council had inflatable obstacles, and the SFC Student Council provided refreshing Bomb Pops Popsicles. Along with that, Central’s sports teams were present with engaging activities such as the swim team’s “Soak a Swimmer Sponge Toss,” the Soccer Kick Game, and Obstacles by RAM Soccer, Softball, and Baseball teams.
Anna Kim, a senior at BCCHS, who has always been a big part of BCCHS Community, including Running on Faith, claimed that she and her team had a huge turnout this year. “We’re raising money, but also it was enjoyable for us,” emphasized Anna Kim. According to Kim, there were more fun experiences when they had double the number of painters volunteer for face painting especially for those who came to get their face painted.
The event wrapped up with people hanging out at stations and joining the barbecue sponsored by Yellowstone Bank. “This carnival, this race, and the barbecue is just a really good community engagement event,” highlighted Mr. Trafton. Passed to generations for about 20 years, Running on Faith has always been a tradition that is deeply ingrained in each member of the BCS community.
