BY KEVIN JENKINS • kevinthespectrum.com • April 26, 2009 ST.
GEORGE – It may have been an ill wind that battered tents and canopies at this weekend’s Relay for Life event in St. George, but the news was good for organizers of the benefit walk against cancer. American Cancer Society staff member Doug Wells said the event brought in more than $72,000 this year with 71 teams participating. “We (St. George) were actually the first in Utah to do a Relay for Life and we consistently tend to be one of the best relays,” Wells said. Joel Beckstrand was the last person to leave the track at the by-then deserted Hansen Stadium shortly after noon, Saturday. Cold, fierce winds had sent other participants scurrying during the event’s final hour. Beckstrand said he completed his goal of completing 10 kilometers – just over 6.25 miles – during his final-hour jog of the track. “My grandfather Lorin Daniels died of skin cancer three years ago,” he said.
Beckstrand was participating in the event for the first time with the Washington Elementary team, supporting his daughter who attends the school.