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Great Falls Runners Unify for Sherry Arnold

By Ashlie Rodriguez

Story Created: Feb 11, 2012 at 7:26 PM MDT

Story Updated: Feb 12, 2012 at 8:37 PM MDT

Early morning runs are usually exercised alone. But today, dozens of Great Falls runners and walkers unified to remember Sherry Arnold.

“We have a card that we’re signing so people can put their thoughts in there and let the family know that we definitely are there and we’re definitely thinking about them,” said Kristina Smith, the Run for Sherry organizer and GrrAnimals member.

“I remember when I saw the first article in the paper,” Smith said, “and my heart just went out to the family. And I had thought a lot about Sherry as well because I’ve had a few close calls myself.”

“I came out today to raise awareness of the fact that self-defense is necessary part of fitness,” said Gold Gym Marshall Arts member Ellen Nutter. “You can run, you can lift weights, but if you’re alone, you’re always in danger.”

In her memory, the participants also used this event to talk about runner safety and how to protect themselves while exercising.


“It’s best to try to go in groups or with another person if you can,” said Jan Hansen of Golds Gym. “But also if you need to think about letting someone at home or somebody you know the area that you might be running or walking in.”

Sherry will be missed, but her story may have the power to save countless others.

“What’s hard for me and what touched me is that fact that she was a person that was important in the community and she believed in fitness and she believed in helping people and being a good person wasn’t enough to protect her and that’s hard to see,” Nutter said.

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