TULSA WORLD, April, 18, 2007
By John D. Ferguson
Remember the Ten Run proceeds used to aid O-State community.
No one understands the goal of organizers of the "Remember the Ten Run" better than Coweta's Ellen Warren.
The Remember the Ten Run, set for Saturday in Stillwater, will not only honor the men who died in a plane crash in January 2001 but set up a fund for grief counseling to students who lose family members.
Monday's tragedy at Virigina Tech was a reminder of what organizers are trying to achieve. Proceeds from the run are marked for OSU Counseling Services.
"I think it's real exciting the money is going to grief counseling," said Warren, whose son, Kendall Durfey, died in the 2001 crash in eastern Colorado. "I think it's important. I want these men remembered. It's something that will be needed and has been needed."
Durfey, Bill Teegins, Will Hancock III, Bjorn Fahlstrom, Nathan Fleming, Daniel Lawson Jr., Brian Luinstra, Denver Mills, Pat Noyes and Jared Weiberg perished in the crash. This race is dedicated to their spirit.
"There's been so much emotion that's been building all these years about the 10," race organizer Kerry Alexander said. "Everybody wants to remember them. The ways to express that emotion of the 10 in a positive way really hasn't come to fruition.
"Now, we've put together this race that not only remembers those 10, but embraces the families and raises money for OSU Grief Counseling."
Warren is familiar with grief.
"I lost my dad while I was in college," Warren said. "I had no one (to turn to), but the Chapel Club."
Warren, who has had a hip and knee replacement, intends to finish the run no matter the obstacles.
She will have a busy day, too. After the race, she will drive back to Coweta and get married.
"The university has been so good to us," Warren said. "I don't want any of them forgotten. This (run) is something good that's come out of it."
Longtime television and radio broadcaster Teegins was well-known in the Oklahoma City market, but he got his big start in Tulsa at KOTV-6.
"Grief is just so different for every person," Teegins' widow, Janis, said by telephone from St. Petersburg, Fla.
"Hopefully, this will help someone who has lost someone," she said. "I think it will go to a great cause. I wish I could be there."
Janis Teegins had a prior commitment and could not make the run, but daughter Amanda, Bill's parents, sister and other family and friends will be in Stillwater Saturday.
"They were quality men, fathers, sons, friends of many people," Janis Teegins said. "A lot of people felt that loss."
Now, many will run so they will not be forgotten.
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For more information go to www.remembertheten.com
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REMEMBER THE TEN RUN
What: 10k, 5k and 1-mile kids fun run
When: 9 a.m. Saturday
Where: Gallagher-Iba Arena, on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater
Entry: $25 for all races. Proceeds go to a grief counseling fund through the OSU Counseling Services department.
Contact: Kerry Alexander at (405) 385-0975 or e-mail kerrydonalexander@hotmail.com
If you are interested in volunteer or sponsorship opportunities with this annual event,
please e-mail Kerry Alexander at: kerrydonalexander@hotmail.com
Copyright © 2006–2008 Remember the 10 Run. All rights reserved.