Celebrating Women of Strength

Do you know someone who has inspired you to live a healthier lifestyle? Did someone convince you to participate in the Montana Women’s Run?  The Montana Women’s Run will celebrate those women who embody the spirit of the Montana Women’s Run—women’s health and fitness—by awarding one woman the Cape and Tiara Award.   The winner of the award will be treated like royalty at the Montana Women’s Run Pasta Night Dinner Friday, May 7 and Race Day Saturday, May 8. 

As women, we support our friends, care for our families, and help our communities.  We take pride in our work and focus on achieving our goals.  We give to our families, our friends and our community, sometimes forgetting to give back to ourselves.  This is who we are.  Women are strong.  Women are caring. 

Help the Montana Women’s Run celebrate strong, giving and health inspiring women.
Who do you know that deserves to be treated like royalty—that deserves the Cape and Tiara Award?  The winner will receive over $1,000 in gifts and prizes, including personal training sessions from Apex Personal Training, a gift basket from Guccione Salon, a stay at the Clock Tower Inn, gift certificates for dry cleaning from Valet Today, and much more!

Send us your story now describing a woman who embodies the spirit of the Montana Women’s Run.  Tell us why she deserves to be celebrated for her strength, compassion and dedication to health and fitness.  Help us to spoil this special woman by downloading the nomination form and mailing it to Montana Women’s Run, P.O. Box 2530, Billings, MT 59103 or Click Here to Submit Online...>>> .  The deadline is April 21, 2010.

Sponsored by Guccione Salon & Spa

Winners for 2009

Nancy Volesky, left, the runner up, is one of those moms that inspired her daughter as well as co-workers to exercise. Her daughter wrote: “My mom has always been an inspiration in my life in many ways – as a mother, grandmother and friend.” Nancy inspired her daughter to run cross country and participate in track and field. Her daughter is also proud to see Nancy looking so fit and healthy “at her age.” Now, Nancy’s granddaughter is participating in track and field. Not only does she inspire her grandchildren to exercise, but she cheers them on at sporting events. The nominator states: “I can remember watching her run in the Women’s Run when I was in high school and being the inspiration and motivation for me to try it the next year. I think I did it for 7 years in a row, whether pregnant, pushing a stroller or holding my daughter’s little hand as we did the 2 Mile for the first time together with her walking on her own. I guess to really sum it all up when I think of anything to do with health and fitness, my mom is whose face I see in my mind.”

            While persevering through her own health issues, this remarkable woman has continued to encourage countless women to participate in the Women’s Run. Each year Nancy has single-handedly ensured that her work place participates in Team Up, often with 100% of the women employees participating. Knowing some of those women, that took some arm twisting! Her family, the children she works with, her co-workers and friends all benefit from her passion for health and fitness. Nancy Volesky truly embodies the goals of the Montana Women’s Run, and was, therefore, honored at Pasta Night as the Cape & Tiara runner up.

Queen Dr. Cheryl Cook

“She embodies the Women’s Run because of her personal commitment to health, fitness and family. Her profession has been internal medicine; however she make a decision in 2005 to make her own health a priority and change her medical focus to dermatology, helping her improve her quality of life and maintain a healthier work-life balance. This is an inspiration to me as a young woman just beginning my career.” – Lindsey Krywaruchka, Nominator.

            We agree with Lindsey – Cheryl Cook is an inspirational woman. You can find Cheryl rallying new walkers and “seasoned” walkers alike at Walk and Talk with the Doc, biking with her husband Chris Cook, also a cycling instructor at the Billings Family YMCA, getting a group of cyclists together for the MS Ride, volunteering her time to talk to people in our community about various health topics including Melanoma, nutrition, hydration, and of course…wear your hat and sunscreen. And she was always right there on the pool deck supporting her daughter Taylor during high school swimming meets.

            Cheryl participates in many community events including the Montana Women’s Run, Big Sky State Games, the Montana Marathon, the Heart and Sole Race and has also finished the Seattle to Portland bike ride – a major feat in the world of cycling. Cheryl leads health and fitness principles by example, and is truly passionate about living a healthy lifestyle.

            Cheryl, Chris and Taylor are a very active family – they show all of us the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Cheryl embodies the spirit of the Montana women’s Run, promoting women’s health and fitness.