San Juan Solstice 50 Mile Run is a nonprofit race benefiting the Lake City EMTs, graduating Lake City seniors and other public safety and public service entities of Lake City.

 

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Stipend Program

First and foremost every year, the race funds $15,000 to a Stipend Program for our volunteer emergency medical team, most of whom will be helping at the aid stations on race day! The Stipend Program provides a nominal payment for each out of county ambulance call that team members take while still maintaining their volunteer status.   Most of our EMS Team members are working folks with young families who lose pay when they leave work to make an ambulance call.

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On Call Program

The race also funds an on call program to pay EMS team members for signing up to be on call.  .

 

Grants

Grant Applications will open fall 2025

Remaining funds were made available to public service entities in Lake City through a grant process. In 2024  $19,759 total was awarded to the following entities received funding:

Lake City Community School

Search and Rescue,
Historical Society

DIRT

Public Health

Senior Connections,

Alpine Outdoor Association

Town of Lake City

EMS

Wee Care

Lake City Arts

Lake Fork Valley Conservancy

The race became a benefit run in 2002 and between then and 2021 it contributed over a quarter of a million dollars to Friends of Lake City EMTs.​  In the two years since San Juan Solstice Inc was incorporated as a 501c3 organization and taken over distribution of funding,  it has contributed over $70,000 to Hinsdale County EMS and other public safety and public service organizations in Lake City.

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Scholarships 

The race has created and funds annual scholarships to graduating seniors for the Lake City Community School.  The Garry Curry CLIMB scholarship was set up to honor our departed friend and ultra runner Garry Curry.  This year, we granted the 5 scholarships totaling $7,500:, 3 continuing education and 2 graduating seniors.

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 In our third year, we are totaling $16,500 to graduating seniors and alums from Lake City Community School!

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The Garry Curry CLIMB Scholarship is to be awarded to a graduating senior from Lake City Community High School who best exemplifies Garry’s life example of never quitting. It is truly remarkable that Garry completed more than 60 100-mile races, including 20 Leadville 100s, the Hardrock 100, as well as numerous other ultra-distance running events. Garry was an integral part of the original crew who came to Lake City from Boulder to establish the Lake City 50-miler, now known as the San Juan Solstice (SJS50). Garry CLIMBed many mountains in his life, but it was on the inside that he was a true CLIMBer: he cared deeply for his community; led by example; and persevered, even when the road was rough. After competing several times in the SJS50, he assumed an essential role as a key worker in preparing and marking the course, hauling water up to the Alpine Aide Station, and sweeping the course. His final ashes are just off the race course, along the Continental Divide, east of Coney Peak. Garry was never too busy to help a friend or fellow runner. His familiar “howzit” greeting lifted many faces into a smile. Garry’s willingness to listen and understand conflicting viewpoints with compassion are sorely missed.