Survivor winner to participate in Growl Prowl

Denise Stapley possesses a passion for fitness.

The winner of the 25th season of the long-running television reality show "Survivor" has helped promote a healthy lifestyle locally, and joined it with fundraising efforts.

Stapley will participate in the 2013 Growl Prowl road races and fun runs at Linn-Mar football stadium on April 13, raising money to provide basic needs for living and learning that some children lack within the Linn-Mar School District. The fifth annual running event consists of an 8K, 5K, 1-mile, 200-meter and 400-meter races, beginning at 9 a.m.

"It makes such good sense," Stapley said. "It is such a good goal and purpose to be out there. We have families  in our district that directly benefit from this.

"The money goes back to a wonderful cause in our district to help it be the healthiest district it can, and part of that is making sure families have basic needs met."

The race has raised more than $20,000. Race director Mike Shipley said the schools to help provide money for a growing dynamic of district families that need help with items like rent, heat and holiday assistance.

"It's a win-win," Shipley said. "It gets allocated to schools for use as they need. ... We give schools the flexibility to use it."

Stapely helped develop a running club at Westfield Elementary after being approached by representatives of the schools Parent/Teacher Organization. The club is a four-week program offered to second through fifth grade students, meeting for an hour a week and culminating with the Growl Prowl. If members complete the four week course, their entry fee for the Growl Prowl is covered.

The running club was started last year with 65 members with about half participating in the mile run. The group is led Stapley and 10 volunteers. The club also provides information for goal-setting, instruction on running and making healthy choices.

"It's been a great thing to help promote the Growl Prowl and just getting kids moving and  excited about exercise and a healthy lifestyle," said Stapley, who consulted other schools about their clubs' procedures. "We've been having a blast. We call it a running club, but, with all the information, we just want them to walk, run, skip, jump, basically get them moving and spending positive time with their peers and learn team work."

Stapley is looking forward to take part this year, missing the 2012 Growl Prowl when she was called to the Philippines for her million-dollar television experience and turning the club over to the leadership of her husband, Brad.

"I'll run the 5K race and then go meet up with our Westfield kids, helping them run the mile and making a day of it," Stapley said. "I can't wait."

The event drew 339 total participants last year, including 121 for the kids' races. Shipley said that number tripled the previous year's tally. He said Stapley is a trend-setter with her work with the elementary school running club.

"It's people like her that get kids and parents excited and want to be involved," Shipley said. "She has set the model for other schools to use."

Shipley, a Prevention Specialist for Excelsior Middle School in Marion, said he would like to see the race grow to 500 entries regularly. The money raised would continue to allow Linn-Mar schools help its students in need.

"I see what it does first-hand," Shipley said. "It makes a huge difference."

Registration is $23 for 5k and 8k participants, if postmark by April 8 and $30 after that date. Youth races are $10 for early registration and $12 later. Current Linn-Mar students receive a $3 discount on early registration of 5k and 8k races.