RAGBRAI runner raises money for children

It’s been a long two days for Pete Kostelnick of Lincoln, Neb.

The 25-year-old Boone native ran for about 20 hours both Sunday and Monday to keep up with RAGBRAI riders.

He’s one of at least two people attempting to run the entire route – about 423 miles including the Karras Loop.

It’s an attempt to test himself and raise money for Holiday Heroes, an organization Kostelnick is passionate about.

Pete Kostelnick

The group provides programming for children in hospitals around the holidays and on birthdays.
“They throw parties to cheer them up and take their minds off the serious illness,” Kostelnick said. “The healing aspects of that alone are amazing.”
He chose to run RAGBRAI because “running across Iowa with no one to support you or talk to would be pretty boring.”
He got stuck in last night’s storm, which meant not getting into Perry until about midnight.

But Kostelnick was still up early Tuesday running alongside riders as they made their way to Des Moines.

The next-longest distance Kostelnick has run? Two 100-mile races.
The cyclists along the route have helped push him along.
“It’s just been great,” Kostelnick said. “I can’t say thank you enough. Every three seconds everyone’s rooting me on.”
Learn more about Kostelnick’s run on his Facebook page.

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