Ultramarathoner moves to S.D., continues tradition of supporting girls running program

This paid piece is sponsored by EmBe.

In a few weeks, Stephen Bohn plans to run for seven days and 155 miles across the driest nonpolar desert in the world.

The South Dakota ultramarathon runner will be taking on the Atacama Desert Crossing, an event in Chile drawing about 120 runners from 40 countries.

“I’m a little scared about running across the desert for a race, but I’m really looking forward to it,” said Bohn, who began running ultramarathons in 2016 after being inspired by his sister, Jessica.

As he has with previous races, Bohn is dedicating this one to a cause he feels passionate about – encouraging girls to experience the sport of running.

He’s fundraising for Girls on the Run and already has surpassed his goal of collecting $1,000 in donations.

“I’m at about $1,300 and am excited anytime someone contributes $15 or $20,” he said.

For Bohn, the effort represents a growing relationship with Girls on the Run. When he and his wife, Sue, were married in 2020, they asked for donations to nonprofits instead of gifts.

One of them was Girls on the Run, which Bohn discovered through his sister when he helped support her on the Western States Endurance Run in 2016.

“That’s like the Super Bowl of trail running; it’s very competitive, and watching her finish inspired me,” he said. “She had done some volunteer work and fundraising through her bigger races with Girls on the Run, supporting a chapter in Michigan.”

Bohn grew up in the Detroit area, but his work in IT took him to Nashville. His wife had lived in Denver, and they’re both able to work remotely. It led them to western South Dakota, where his best friend lives.

“So we up and moved from Nashville to Spearfish, which is a massive change, but one we really enjoy,” he said. “There are hundreds of miles of trails out here, which is just wonderful.”

Ultimately, the couple would like to fund a college scholarship for a cross-country athlete, he said. But in the meantime, they looked for ways to connect with running locally, which led them to Girls on the Run.

“I figured there had to be a chapter in South Dakota, and I got in touch with a coach in Spearfish who told me to reach out to EmBe and they would handle the fundraising I wanted to do,” Bohn said.

“They have been delightful. They took care of setting up the platform for me, and all I had to do was share my story. They’re handling all the processing of the fundraising.”

EmBe, based in Sioux Falls, supports the Girls on the Run program statewide. It provides girls in grades third through fifth with an opportunity for social-emotional learning and leadership-building in addition to the chance to complete a 5K at the end of the program.

“Stephen’s story and project are very inspiring and align well with Girls on the Run as a whole,” said Allison Sinning, director of youth programming at EmBe. “We were excited to connect with him and help provide a way for him to support this program.”

Click here to view Bohn’s fundraising campaign. 

There are many ways to support Girls on the Run, including coaching, Sinning said.

“And you don’t even have to be a runner,” she added. “Girls on the Run is about using running to help our girls build confidence and friendships, learn about resolving conflict and even serve the community.”

Eventually, “I wouldn’t mind hopping in and being a coach,” Bohn said. “Although I really think the girls benefit from female coaches and a message from a woman.”

He still plans to speak with the girls participating in Spearfish and sees it as an effective way to begin becoming part of the community.

“I think women in sports in general can be overlooked or not given an opportunity to be as confident as they can be,” he said.

“Girls on the Run really promotes running as a way for young women to appreciate just being in the environment. They can be competitive if they want, but the more I run the more I’ve realized it really doesn’t matter where you finish. This helps them learn to just go out and enjoy the sport and all the benefits it brings.”

EmBe is accepting applications for volunteer fall coaches until Sept. 7.

To learn more about Girls on the Run, click here. 

With global perspective on empowering women and girls, EmBe youth leader thinks big