The Runners
13 Runners
Jeremy Ballew
“Mental well-being is vital to overall well-being.”
Jeremy Ballew is the Manager of Avera’s Employee Assistance Program, where he supports individuals navigating mental health challenges that impact work and home life. He is driven by empathy and a desire to help people through struggles they may not openly share.
A former collegiate soccer player, Jeremy discovered his passion for endurance racing in 2016 after completing his first Spartan race. He has since become an ultrarunner, using the sport to build resilience, mental strength, and personal growth. His accomplishments include multiple ultra-distance races and completing a 107-mile trail race in the Black Hills in 2023.
Jeremy values trail running as a way to connect with nature, reduce stress, and strengthen overall well-being. Outside of running, he enjoys traveling, coaching his daughter’s soccer team, and spending time outdoors with his wife, Lacey, and daughter, Blakely, who are his biggest supporters.
John Etrheim
For John Etrheim, inspiration comes from the journey itself. A Financial Advisor with Edward Jones in Sioux Falls, SD, John sees each relationship—and every mile-as meaningful, carrying value that goes far beyond the numbers. Whether walking alongside clients as they live their great story or writing his own through running experiences around the world, John approaches every endeavor with purpose and heart.
Fueled by a lifelong love of running, John trains for marathons in search of experiences that challenge, inspire, and expand his sense of what’s possible. To him, running is an adventure-grounded in resilience, driven by purpose, and always moving forward.
John’s involvement in The 437 Project is made even more meaningful as he runs alongside his daughter Megan. Having weathered the highs and lows of mental health together, they now carry their shared story forward-mile by mile-driven by a mission to open conversations and remind others that help, hope, and healing are always within reach.
Megan Etrheim
Megan Etrheim is a Registered Nurse at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, whose passion for helping others is rooted in her own mental health journey. After struggling with depression, trauma, and an eating disorder—and surviving multiple suicide attempts—Megan found hope through the care of a nurse who inspired her to pursue nursing and support others in their darkest moments.
Once afraid to speak about her struggles, Megan now advocates openly for mental health awareness and breaking stigma. She is passionate about reminding others that healing is possible and that no one has to suffer in silence.
A former collegiate soccer player at Iowa State University, Megan has rediscovered her love for running and the strength and freedom it brings. This year, Megan has the opportunity to run alongside her dad, John Etrheim, one of her greatest supporters and biggest cheerleaders through every high and low of her mental health journey.
Megan is honored to share her story to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. She hopes to be a light for others and a reminder that there is always hope—and that the world is better with them in it.
Mary Beth Fishback
“Behind every mile is a story, and behind every story is someone who deserves to feel seen, supported, and not alone.”
Mary Beth Fishback is a wife, mom, and community leader who brings both personal passion and professional purpose to the 437 Project. She and her husband stay busy raising their two children, balancing family life with full schedules and a shared commitment to health, resilience, and showing up for the people around them.
As the CEO of Brookings Behavioral Health & Wellness, Mary Beth has spent nearly two decades working alongside individuals and families navigating mental health and substance use challenges. Her work is deeply rooted in the belief that mental health is inseparable from overall well-being and that strong communities are built when people feel seen, supported, and not alone.
Running has become an important outlet for Mary Beth, not just for physical health, but for clarity, resilience, and reflection. It’s a space where she processes, resets, and reconnects with what matters most. Through both her personal life and her professional work, she has seen firsthand how closely our mental and physical health are connected, and how powerful movement can be in supporting both.
Mary Beth is running as part of the 437 Project because the mission is deeply personal. She runs for the individuals and families she serves, for the conversations that are often left unspoken, and for the hope that greater awareness can lead to greater understanding and connection. Most of all, she runs to remind others, and herself, that even in the hardest moments, we are never meant to do life alone.
Ashley Gaspar
“Even in our darkest moments, light is always there. We just have to be willing to look for it.”
Ashley was born and raised in Sioux Falls and still proudly calls it home. She lives there with her husband and their two dogs. Ashley was drawn to The 437 Project to help raise awareness that even the happiest people in the room can be struggling and to remind others that they are never alone.
Ashley did not become a runner until the last 10 years, but what started as a way to challenge herself quickly became something much bigger. Running became an outlet, a source of confidence, and a way to work through both the highs and lows of life. It has taught her discipline, resilience, and the importance of showing up even on the hard days. Over the years, running has become one of the most important parts of her life — not just for the miles logged, but for the strength, clarity, and sense of purpose it has given her.
Along the 437-mile route, you will likely find her husband cheering her on. Through some of her darkest moments, he has always been by her side — encouraging her, believing in her, and reminding her of her strength when she struggled to see it herself. His love and support have played a huge role in helping her become the person she is today.
Katlyn Gustafson
“I run for the version of me who felt completely lost and for anyone who feels that way now.”
By day, Katlyn works as a Human Rights Investigator with the South Dakota Department of Labor. Outside of work, she’s a fitness instructor at Burn Infrared Fitness Studio, a distance runner, wife, and mom of three daughters.
After losing her mom to alcoholism, Katlyn lost herself to grief. Struggling through her own mental health journey, she signed up for an ultra marathon. With every mile, she carried her mom’s memory and reminded herself that healing comes one step at a time.
Running has since become a platform to raise awareness for mental health. Through her journey, Katlyn hopes to show that even in life’s hardest seasons, support, hope, and connection are possible.
Cheering her on along the route will be her husband and daughters, who inspire her every day to keep moving forward.
Carly Heard
“Let’s do the hard things, friends”.
Carly was never an athlete growing up and became a “runner” later in life…running her first race, which was a half marathon, in 2009. Since then she has ran three 50ks, 13 marathons, 44 half marathons, and recently completed her 6th star for the world majors at the Tokyo Marathon. It’s never too late to start a new passion.
Carly attributes much of her ability to race and travel to her supportive husband, Matt, and her two children, Eve and Jonas. Their cheers and encouragement are what help her get up each morning and train for that next big adventure.
The 437 Project supports a cause that is close to Carly’s heart and she is elated to experience running for a cause. She is excited to be part of an organization that has such a huge impact on families across the state.
Dan Hermanson
If you recognize Dan, it’s probably from Scheels in Sioux Falls, where he’s spent 27 years working across nine stores in eight states. He, his wife Angie, and their daughters, Lainey and Lyla, have happily called Sioux Falls home for five years and value its strong, supportive community.
Originally from New Ulm, MN, Dan discovered distance running in 2008 while working to improve his health and manage stress as he prepared for fatherhood. What started as a lifestyle change became a passion—he’s since completed 20+ half marathons, a full marathon, and nine 200+ mile relay races. He’s often seen running Sioux Falls trails, encouraging others along the way.
Dan leans on his faith in Jesus through life’s challenges, using running as time for prayer and reflection. He credits physical activity with improving his mental well-being and helping him grow as a husband, father, and leader.
Now joining The 437 Project, Dan hopes his journey across South Dakota inspires others to rely on faith, stay active, and remember they’re not alone.
Wade Juracek
Wade Juracek lives in Gregory, SD and is a social studies teacher and athletic director in Colome, SD. He and his wife Amy, a Nurse Practitioner, have five children and two (soon to be four) grandchildren. He has completed 26 marathons including 7 of the Abbott World Major Marathons in NYC, Chicago, Boston, Berlin, London, Tokyo and Cape Town. He enjoys running for charity and has raised money for many different causes on his journey.
Wade was approached by the parents of a former student, who lost her battle with depression. When they asked him to apply to The 437 Project to run in her memory, he did not hesitate. The drive and commitment to help others has fueled his running passion over the past 10 years.
Wade is inspired by the families that have lost loved ones to suicide and through their pain are still willing to help others so that no one has to experience what they have gone through. He believes the courage they show, along with the runners in this project, will change lives.
Shannon Kubik
Shannon Kubik is raising cows, kids, and crops with her husband on their family farm near Hamill, SD. She knows the gravel roads around their farm well, as she can be found running on them (hoping to not see a rattlesnake) often.
When she’s not on the farm with her husband, Trent, and two sons (Landon and Layton), she will be found working in agriculture as a marketing executive. She is passionate about helping farmers and ranchers transition their farms to the next generation and works with the Keep Farmers Farming program in that endeavor, as well.
Outside of farming and work, Shannon loves to cheer on her beloved Huskers. As a native Nebraskan, she bleeds red and is a huge fan, especially of the Husker volleyball team. She is looking forward to participating in The 437 Project and showing those in farming and ranching that it’s okay to talk about the hard things.
Tony Nour
Tony Nour is participating in The 437 Project for the second consecutive year, continuing his commitment to raising awareness and generating support for individuals affected by suicide.
A native of Armour, South Dakota, Tony holds degrees from Dakota State University and an MBA from the University of South Dakota. This fall, his wife Brenda and their four children—Brody, Broxton, Ellery, and Ivy—will be his biggest supporters as he traverses The 437 Project route.
As Senior Vice President of Relationship Banking at First PREMIER Bank in Sioux Falls, Tony maintains an active role within the community. He serves on boards including the Sioux Empire United Way, Sioux Falls Development Foundation, RESGEN, and the Sanford International Tournament. Additionally, he represents South Dakota as a member of the American Banker Association’s Emerging Leaders Council.
Tony’s dedication is reinforced by the encouragement of his family and mentors, whose influence has shaped his passion for generosity and service.
Joel Sylvester
“When things are difficult in your life, give away as much love as you can to others, and just watch what happens.”
Joel, a North Dakota native, lives in Sioux Falls with his wife, Tanielle, and their children, Addison and Dawson. He is a partner and Chief Client Officer at Five Star Solutions.
He began running in 2001 to get in shape, ultimately losing nearly 100 pounds. Known as a “slow” runner, Joel embraces the mindset that slow and steady wins the race. Running has been a constant in his life—pushing his kids in a jogging stroller for hundreds of miles and using it as a way to explore new places and connect with others.
In 2020, Joel suffered a nerve injury that left him with foot drop and no feeling in his lower leg. After running races in a brace and committing to physical therapy and faith, he regained use of his foot in 2021.
Following the loss of a close friend to suicide in 2011, Joel became deeply involved in mental health advocacy. It’s a family commitment—his wife works as a school counselor, his daughter has run races alongside him, and his son participates in student-led support initiatives.
Joel is also an avid outdoorsman who enjoys biking, hunting, and time on the Missouri River. An early morning runner, he’s often found on trails before sunrise, guided by a headlamp and a wide-ranging music playlist.
Sarina Talich
“Running teaches us that we are capable of so much more than we think.”
Sarina Talich, a native of Ireton, Iowa, grew up active in a variety of sports and was drawn to track for its social aspect. Over time, she developed a passion for running and has since completed three full marathons and a 50K race consisting of 13 laps around Lake Herman State Park.
She lives in Madison, SD, with her husband, Aaron, and their two children, Oliver and Hattie. Sarina has been with Lake County since 2011 and currently serves as Sheriff. In addition to her role, she is a member of the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children task force and the South Dakota Sheriff’s Association.
The thing that excites her the most about being part of The 437 Project is that she’s able to be a part of something she’s passionate about and that is mental health! The stigma surrounding mental health has changed over the years and the excitement around people normalizing mental health is energizing to her.
Being able to speak out and share her own struggles, as well as the things she’s experienced through her work in law enforcement is a huge driver for Sarina to be part of The 437 Project. More and more people are willing to talk about mental health and this project is moving that conversation in the right direction.
