By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Both serious and casual runners had the opportunity to gather at Helena High School on March 12, to participate in a fun mustache run, while supporting the HHS soccer programs.

The event was deemed the “March Stacheness Run” and the event was able to bring in $3,500 for the soccer programs despite some damp weather.

The event included a timed or untimed 8k, 5k, a fun run/walk and a pet walk.

Other festivities included a best mustache contest, silent auctions and vendor booths with all of the proceeds going directly to the Helena High School Soccer program.

“We ended up raising close to $3,500 for the program and had about 100 people participate,” said Helena girls soccer coach Clif Naron.

The goal of the event was to support the annual cost of uniforms, equipment, referee fees, field maintenance, team travel, tournament costs and clinics and the first year of the event was deemed a success.

The program’s long-term goal is to relieve or significantly reduce the fee players and their families spend to participate, upgrade the practice field with amenities such as lights, fencing, seating and water stations, as well as create a reserve for replacing capital equipment like soccer goals.

In addition to the variety of runs, a best mustache contest was held and broken down into best real or fake mustache categories.

Helena Mayor Mark Hall attended the run with his pet “Lil Eddie” as they served as starters for the March Stacheness Run.