Humboldt's T1D 4X4X48 planning team. From left to right: Cailin Hergott, Karen Tegenkamp, Maria Strasser, Joel Taphorn, Jason Holtvogt, Deanna Holtvogt, Jay Zimmerman, Cathy Zimmerman, Becky Ell, and John Ell. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)

By Ben Tompkins

Run for a cure

Holtvogt completes second-ever 4x4x48

Aug 29, 2022 | 5:09 PM

This past weekend, the Humboldt and area juvenile diabetes team held their second annual 4x4x48 ultra-marathon.

The run featured Jason Holtvogt running four miles, every four hours, for a 48-hour period.

The loving father continued the tradition, after originally beginning the event in honour of his daughter, Aubree, last year.

The run is meant to serve as a metaphor for what he said ‘resembles what caregivers of those with Type 1 diabetes go through every day.’

This year’s festivities also featured a Codie Prevost concert, along with a banquet, which featured a live and silent auction to boost the number of funds raised.

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Archerwill singer, Codie Provost, hung out in Humboldt on Friday night. Also pictured is Herb Holtvogt, dad to runner, Jason. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)

While this year was a lot more work, Holtvogt told northeastNOW it’s worth it to grow the support and money each year.

“It was great to see the support from the community. People donated things for our live and silent auctions. They were from the community, they know Type 1 diabetics and they see the benefit of contributing to our charity. It’s really the big pushes that make a difference.”

Money wasn’t the only difference maker over the weekend as Holtvogt mentioned his family, the setup time they put in, as well as the runs they joined along for.

His family wasn’t the only one, however, as Joel Taphorn and John and Becky Ell were quite involved.

Taphorn was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes back in the late 1970s and he explained what this run means to him.

“It’s been an emotional weekend to see what Jason has put himself through to help our organization out, as well as diabetics around. I’ve been living with diabetes for 45 years, and during that time, I’ve seen a ton of changes. We know that the cure is just right around the corner… and I’m super proud of Jason and our team.”

“I don’t know where a person digs that deep, but he’s got it and he’s done an amazing job and same with our entire organizing team and committee. We’re all dedicated to finding that cure and hopefully, one day soon, it’ll come to fruition.”

Jason Holtvogt crosses the finish line after completing 12 four mile runs in 48 hours for Type 1 Diabetes research. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)

As for the Ells’, they can relate quite strongly to the Holtvogt family. Their daughter was just diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, this past December.

According to Becky, they are extremely grateful for the support of the group, as their daughter was diagnosed early because of it.

“The only reason was because I had actually called Cailin (Hergott) for a different reason and kind of mentioned to her what Alayna’s symptoms were and she told me to take her to the hospital and she was diagnosed that afternoon.”

“Without that nudge from Cailin, I don’t know how she would have been diagnosed that early. Our journey I think has been a lot easier than kids who were really sick before they got diagnosed. She wasn’t sick.”

The total number of donations are still being counted and are expected to be official and released within a week.

More to come…

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8