December 19, 2020

21st annual Run For The Ranch

RACE DAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

About The Race
Run for the Ranch began in 1999 as a fund raiser for the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch, Ozark Mountain Ridge Runners, and other local charities. The event is held annually on the last weekend of the year and is traditionally one of the last chances in the calendar year to Marathon in the United States.

Covid Procedures and Precautions
OMRR is making ever effort to comply with local city wide procedures.
• All participants will be asked to be masked at all times, except when running.
• All participants will be asked to maintain 6’ social distancing at all times when unmasked.
• All participants will be asked to complete a form for potential COVID tracking. Once the form is complete, you may participate in the run.
• Any food made available during the event will be pre-packaged. Drinks will be in cups, and will be self-serve. Volunteers will not hand items to runners.
If you would like to implement additional safety measures for yourself, please feel free to do so, your comfort is important to us.

These procedures are in place to allow OMRR to host these events in the safest manner possible. We appreciate your understanding and compliance and look forward to seeing you soon!

Run For The Ranch

Benefiting the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch

The Cause-
Good Samaritan Boys Ranch

The Reverend Bob Johnson of Springfield, Missouri founded the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch in 1959. The concept was simple, provide a home for local children who had no home and no where to turn. The idea took off, and soon the pastor and his wife were caring for more than forty boys. The ranch met with much success in providing a home for those without one, and in helping to guide young lives in a positive direction.

With this success came additional requests for help. Over time the demand for services increased dramatically. Even local judicial officials began to refer juveniles who had gone astray of the law to the Ranch for rehabilitation. This placed an even larger strain on the already limited financial resources of the Ranch. Through the generosity of surrounding communities and the foresight of the board of directors, the focus of the Ranch’s mission was narrowed to serving only those who were severally troubled. This focus continues as the major part of the Ranch’s mission today.

Good Samaritan Boys Ranch

We believe..... Society is transformed when we end the cycle of child abuse that bleeds from one generation to the next.

Ozark Mountain Ridge Runners

Our Mission

Is to promote the health benefits of running as well as the pleasurable and competitive aspects of the sport while doing our part to improve the lives of others.

About

The Ozark Mountain Ridge Runners is a not-for-profit organization of nearly 400 individuals dedicated to wellness, fitness, running, and caring. All OMRR Board members are unpaid volunteers. All proceeds to OMRR are used for club-related activities such as supporting local and national charities, organizing local races, publishing the Running Briefs newsletter and this Web site, and maintaining a clean environment. We need fitness enthusiasts of all types to support OMRR. Please become a member and join with us in our crusade for fun, fitness, and caring!

History

The Ozark Mountain Ridge Runners was founded in 1978, due primarily to the efforts of Dr. Wayne C. McKinney of Missouri State University and Floyd R. Johnson, Jr. In the 1970's Dr. McKinney directed an annual Two Mile Jog, an estimated time run. Floyd Johnson conducted "Fun Runs" on a regular basis, which tended to be more competitive in nature. In 1977 a group of Springfield runners, called the Ozark Mountain Road Runners, entered the National AAU 20 Kilometer Championship at Tulsa, OK, and finished in second place. Team member Clyde O. Johnson won first in the 50-59 year age group.

In 1978, Wayne McKinney and Floyd Johnson decided to co-found an area running club. Johnson recommended the name Ozark Mountain Ridge Runners and McKinney phrased the OMRR motto, "Train for the Health of It...Race for the Fun of It!", which highlights the two major objectives of OMRR. The club was formally organized on May 17, 1978 and became affiliated with the Road Runner's Club of America. Clyde O. Johnson was elected the first OMRR President. OMRR began sponsoring local races ranging from 1 mile to 50 miles in length. The club's newsletter, Running Briefs, began in the 1970s and the club's Web site was launched in 1999 by OMRR Board member Richard Johnson and is now managed by OMRR member David Wilcox. Since then OMRR began sponsoring several races for charity and started several running programs, such as Runner of the Year, the PR Corner, and the Triple Crown of Racing.

Ozark Mountain Ridge Runners

Southwests Missouri's largest running community