 Our series introducing the members of the 605 Run Collective continues with someone whose story embodies resilience, joy, and a lifelong love of running: Sheila Stanley.
About Sheila Sheila has been running joyfully for more than 30 years — maybe even closer to 40. Over the decades, she has completed more than 100 half marathons, four full marathons, countless 10Ks and 5Ks, relay races, and even a Ragnar. She’s proud to say she has finished every race she has started (and picked up a few age group wins along the way). In her 40s, Sheila set out on a bold challenge: running a half marathon in every state before turning 50 — her “50 by 50” project. At 42, that journey was interrupted by a breast cancer diagnosis. After surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation, she returned to running — slowly, but gloriously. While she never fully regained her pre-diagnosis speed, she rediscovered something even more important: the joy of running. Today, she is about seven states and 18 months away from completing her 50-state goal by 60. One of Sheila’s most meaningful races came shortly after her treatments. While visiting Runner’s Roost in Colorado, she entered a drawing for the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco. She had a strong sense that if she won the entry, she would survive her illness. She did win — and ran the race with little hair, little training, but a lot of heart. For Sheila, running is truly a gift — one she wants to share with as many people as possible. Expertise & Passion Sheila brings deep community knowledge and personal insight to the 605 Run Collective. In Denver, she was a member of Revolution Running, a training club that sealed her love of group running. Since moving to Sioux Falls 10 years ago, she has found “her people” through 605 Running Company, Sioux Falls Women Run, and the Sioux Falls Area Run Club. Professionally, Sheila spent many years working in health and safety before recently retiring. Now, she invests her energy back into the community — volunteering with LSS, Girls on the Run, and other organizations. She also stays active at Orangetheory, continues learning Spanish, and has even recruited her husband (and sometimes Daisy the dog) to join her on runs. Why the 605 Run Collective? For Sheila, the answer is simple: 605 Running Company matters. Beyond being a small business, the store has given her an incredible community — whether at group runs, races, packet pickups, or volunteer opportunities. Joining the Collective was a natural way for her to give back. Looking Ahead Sheila hopes to be an ambassador for new runners, back-of-the-pack runners, and those returning to the sport. She wants people to know they don’t have to be fast or perfect to belong — they just need to lace up, move forward, and enjoy the journey. With her decades of experience, her welcoming spirit, and her willingness to serve, Sheila brings an important perspective to the future of 605 Running Company. What Running Community Means to Sheila Sheila believes the running community is about more than miles — it’s about support, encouragement, and belonging. Whether you’re at the front or the back of the pack, there’s always someone cheering for you. It’s also a place where runners bring out their best for each other. Rapid Fire with Sheila
✨ Stay tuned as we continue this series and highlight more inspiring members of the 605 Run Collective!
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 By: Derrick Ettel
As we close the book on another Sioux Falls Marathon weekend, I have taken time to reflect on what this race meant to so many different runners. Naturally, my first thoughts go to the success stories. The winners. The personal bests. The milestones. These are the moments we rightly celebrate. But after the excitement fades, my mind always wanders to the other side of the experience. Disappointment. Frustration. Anger. Self-Doubt. Running is unique in this way. The sport has a way of tying our emotions and even our self-worth to the numbers on the clock. I know I have been guilty of that myself. Too often I focus so much on the outcome that I forget the bigger picture. In reflecting on both the highs and lows, I kept coming back to a phrase that has been echoing in my mind. “Consistent Competence = Eventual Excellence” – Coach Ed Eyestone Consistent Can you show up day after day, week after week, month after month? If a setback or injury comes your way, are you taking the right actions to move forward? I often ask myself, “What is the correct step to take in this exact moment?” Competence If you look at five workouts and see one excellent effort, three steady ones, and one tough day, that’s exactly where I’d want you. Competence is about stacking good work consistently, not perfection. Eventual For me, this is one of the most satisfying parts of the sport. Progress does not happen overnight and it never happens by accident. Many goals are the result of years of patient work. Eventual means it will happen, as long as you keep showing up. Excellence Excellence takes many forms. For some it is staying healthy. For others it is simply running for enjoyment. For some it might be chasing a Boston Qualifying time or something even bigger. Each of us defines excellence in our own way, and that is the beauty of it.C² = E² isn’t just a catchy formula, it’s a reminder. Consistency and competence, day after day, are what lead to eventual excellence. Show up. Do the work. Trust that excellence is on its way.  As we continue introducing the members of the 605 Run Collective, we’re excited to spotlight Chris Wolbrink — a lifelong runner, pharmacist, and passionate community-builder.
About Chris Chris grew up in Mitchell, SD, where he first fell in love with running through cross country and track in middle and high school. Since then, he’s built a lifelong connection with the sport, racing in everything from 5Ks to marathons all across the country. One of his favorites? The Walt Disney World Marathon in Orlando, FL. Outside of running, Chris works as a pharmacist for Avel Ecare Pharmacy, providing remote pharmacy coverage to small hospitals nationwide — a service that ensures sites without on-site pharmacists still receive the critical support they need. Running remains central to Chris’s life. He enjoys the challenge of chasing faster times and is currently working toward a dream goal: qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Running is also how he explores new places, stays healthy with age, and connects with others through shared experiences. Expertise & Passion Chris brings more than 25 years of running experience to the 605 Run Collective. His time with the Winter Garden Runners group in Florida gave him firsthand insight into what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to building strong, consistent running communities. Combined with his deep racing background and his roots in South Dakota, Chris is well-positioned to help foster growth for the Sioux Falls running scene. Why the 605 Run Collective? The answer is simple: Chris loves running. His motivation comes from a desire to share that love with others and to help grow the Sioux Falls running community. By joining the Collective, he hopes to inspire more people to run, build friendships, and discover the joy of group training. Looking Ahead Chris envisions a future where Sioux Falls has smaller neighborhood running groups that meet consistently to run, support one another, and build lasting relationships. He’s also passionate about the success of local running stores like 605, believing they play a unique and critical role in strengthening the running culture of any city. What Running Community Means to Chris For Chris, running has always been about connection. When he and his wife moved to Winter Garden, FL, they didn’t know anyone — but through a local running group, they formed lifelong friendships. That experience motivates Chris to help build something similar in Sioux Falls: a welcoming, vibrant community where runners of all levels can belong. Rapid Fire with Chris
✨ Stay tuned as we continue this series and introduce more inspiring members of the 605 Run Collective!  By: Greg Koch
Back in March I wrote a blog post introducing the 605 Run Collective, I shared a vision for the 605 Run Collective — a new group created to help shape the future of 605 Running Company. Since then, I've been hard at work gathering applications, conducting interviews, and bringing this group together for the first time. The Collective is still a work in progress, but it represents the future of our store and our community. These are the people helping us reimagine what 605 Running Company can be. I deeply value the support this group provides. It hasn’t been an easy journey, but I’m committed to living out loud with my business. If 605 belongs in Sioux Falls, it will be because of a community effort. Now, we’d like you to meet the people behind the Collective. Over the coming weeks, we’ll highlight each member, giving you a chance to learn more about who they are, what drives them, and how they hope to make an impact. We’re starting with Alex Pool. Meet Alex Pool About AlexAlex is a Sioux Falls native who has lived here most of his life. By day, he’s the IT Innovation and Systems Director at Active Generations, and he also works part-time at the Helpline Center. Outside of work, you’ll most likely find him running. For Alex, running isn’t just about fitness — it’s about balance. He says running gives him consistency, keeps him grounded, and helps both his physical and mental health. Training for races allows him to regularly challenge himself and “do hard things” in pursuit of becoming his best self. Expertise & PassionWith a professional background in nonprofit IT, Alex specializes in building custom software solutions and data analytics using limited resources. He’s passionate about efficiency and problem-solving, always asking: “How can I make this person’s job easier and make them more effective?” Why the 605 Run Collective?Alex’s love for 605 Running Company runs deep. The store, the races, and the community have given him so much over the years that when the opportunity came to give back, he knew he had to say “yes.” Looking AheadWhen it comes to the future of 605 Running Company, Alex has a few ideas. He’d love to see the store expand its outreach to walkers, people who work on their feet all day, and the elderly — groups that benefit from supportive footwear just as much as runners do. He’s also eager to see the group run experience refreshed to welcome even more people into the community. What Running Community Means to AlexFor Alex, the running community transforms an individual sport into something deeply social. Since his very first group run at 605 Running Company, he’s gained countless friends and invaluable advice from experienced runners. That encouragement keeps him signing up for races and striving to improve. Rapid Fire with Alex
✨ Stay tuned as we continue this series and introduce more inspiring members of the 605 Run Collective! |
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