Running with success

Times Reporter 

 

Judging by the two sold-out performances, the Running With the Bulls is still one of the signature attractions at the Strathmore Stampede.

The marquee event, which took place Aug. 2 and 3 prior to the chuckwagon races, featured 80 runners on both days and brought forward the events first-ever two-time winner.

Strathmore’s own Eric Hanson, a.k.a. Giraffe man, grabbed the judges’ attention for the second year in a row and was the winner on Aug. 3.

Despite breaking a rib the night before, Hanson was in the thick of the action and managed to elude a major injury en route to the win.

“It was a good time, holy smokes! Well I did not break a rib today at least – yesterday I got ran over there pretty good – today I got nice and close and had a good time,” said Hanson.

The feeling of being a champion for a second time in the same event could not feel any more fantastic than it did for Hanson on Sunday.

“It feels pretty good. That is what I was aiming for was to be the first two-time champion in Strathmore,” said Hanson.

As for earnings he won, “probably have a pretty good night and try to save some of it maybe.”

Strathmore’s own Logan Weir, 18, was the successful winner of the event of Aug. 2.

“I wanted to do a dive roll (unsuccessfully) out of the bulls way and I got trampled on,” said Weir of his performance.

Being his first time at the event, Weir’s initial reaction was, “I actually thought whoever did it was an idiot and then my friends called me up yesterday and said ‘hey we should go running with the bulls’.” 

His advice for future event participants was to make sure it is worth it to get hurt that much to win the prize money.