When Alex Aguirre was 14, he was inspired by his first year at Camp Dano and the leadership training he received during the backcountry experience. He decided to organize the Dano’lope Dash to raise money to help Park County kids participate in the same opportunity he enjoyed. Eleven years later, as co-director of the Dano Youth Camp, he saw a record crowd register for the 2022 running of the Dash.

The record, growing each year, put a permanent smile on Aguirre’s face Saturday — at least until it was time to clean up after the party. More than 265 area athletes registered for the event, which featured races up to 10 kilometers and an obstacle course. 

The camp was started 26 years ago to honor Danny Ostrom, who died in a tragic horseback accident. Each year, 40 kids from the area go through a series of camping and training exercises, ending with an eight-day camping and backpacking trip in the mountains. The camp is free for the campers. The funds to run the camp come entirely from donations.

“The Dano’lope Dash has become our biggest event of the year that the public can participate in,” Aguirre said.

He signed up as a 13-year-old and continued with the organization. “I worked my way up from a camper to an alumni, and then to a counselor in training when I was 17. That’s when you really take on leadership roles.”

Aguirre has led camping excursions since. Powell athlete Kayla Kolpitcke shares a similar story, but missed the first year of camping due to severe allergies, said Joyce Ostrom, Danny’s mother. 

“She wanted to go the first year that we had the camp, but she has a lot of allergies. And so we told her we didn’t see how it could work out,” Ostrom said. 

Kolpitcke wasn’t about to let her health issue stand in her way. “She went home and figured it out,” Ostrom said.

Kolpitcke prepared and packed all her own food for the next trip. Her persistence has kept her in the program even now as she attends Marian University, where she competes on the women’s ice hockey, soccer and lacrosse teams. 

The Powell High School graduate originally only signed letters of intent to compete in hockey and soccer for the Sabres in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. But, like always, she’s happy to contribute in any way possible. She is studying to be a nurse, specializing in allergies.

She lined up to run the 10k event in a crowd, but finished in first place in the women’s race and fourth place overall. Then she recuperated quickly to help lead the awards ceremony.

“My allergies are anaphylactic, so I always have to carry an EpiPen with me in case something happens,” she said.

Her condition is “nerve wracking,” she said. Yet she doesn’t let it stop her from enjoying life — other than not eating anything containing milk, eggs, turkey, chicken, tree nuts and sunflower and sesame seeds.

For Joyce and Jerry Ostrom, the Dano’lope Dash is always bittersweet. They love to see their hometown’s young adults succeed, in part thanks to the training received through the youth camp and surrounding activities. Joyce has been either in 4-H or a leader in the group for almost seven decades.

But memories of Danny dying 26 years ago are still fresh.

“The [Dash and youth camps] warms our hearts and makes us so happy,” she said. But memories of losing their son, which inspired the organization, can still draw tears.

She concentrates on all the good that has come from such a horrific day. “There’s no more showing of success than when you see these people that support for the camp in so many different ways.”

One competitor was a surprise for many; Jeremy Johnston, curator of the Buffalo Bill Museum. Johnston, who is fighting cancer, finished in second place in his age group for the 1-mile run. His wife, Powell teacher Amanda Johnston, finished third in her age group in the 1-mile run.

While the Dash and other activities sponsored by the group raise money for the camp, the Shoshone Back Country Horsemen had their own fundraising event for the camp. Organization vice president Brianna Fagen presented Joyce Ostrom with a big check, proceeds from a raffle of an antique saw painted by Powell Middle School art teacher Jane Woods.

“[The Back Country Horsemen] have been a supporter of Dano Youth Camps for 16 years,” Ostrom said. 

“They’ve given us large amounts of money. We truly, truly appreciate their support.” 

The two groups have similar goals, Ostrom said during a speech at the awards presentation. One of those goals is to leave backcountry trails better than you found them, she said. The trail-maintenance group raised $1,010 for the camp through the raffle.

Top Overall Results:

Women’s 10k

1. Kayla Kolpitcke 2. Rinda Eastman  3. Lorien Legler

Men’s 10k 

1. Mitch Svaty  2. Kevin Pfefferle  3. Korbyn Warren

Women’s 5k

1. Taylen Stinson  2. Raina Wachob  3. Ada Nelson

Men’s 5k

1. Daniel Merritt  2. Erik Wachob  3. Marko Skoric

Women’s 1 mile

1. Sabine Bates  2. Lily Schulz  3. Taylor Peters

Men’s 1 mile

1. Bradley McKenzie  2. Ben Smith 3. Owen Foley

For complete list of results: competitivetiming.com/danolope-dash-results