Board of Directors
Dottie Bledsoe - Director
How many years have you participated in Fiftytwo.Four?
16
What is your average pace (running or walking)?
9 minute miles
What skills do you bring to the board?
I have been the Director of Fiftytwo.four, Inc. (formerly Run 4 Heaven’s Gate) for the past 15 years. Much has changed, and I have grown and learned so much over the past 15 years!! I am passionate about using something as simple as running or walking to literally change the lives of HIV/AIDS orphans in India. I am so thankful to be a part of this amazing team of people- to run alongside them is an honor. I love to see lives transformed (both in the lives of our runners and the lives of the kids we serve in India) through the sacrifice of love each runner makes. This is the best job ever. To God be the glory.
What keeps you going on a run?
Running translates into life for me- there are so many parallels. My purpose for running has changed over the years, although it is something I still love, my motivation is completely different. I truly love the kids we run for in India. They are the reason I keep running.
Steve Bledsoe
How many years have you participated in Fiftytwo.Four?
16 (best behind the scenes support guys ever:)
What is your average pace (running or walking)?
I am most definitely not a runner. I am anti cardio - which is why I’m a support guy.
What skills do you bring to the board?
I own and operate multiple business locally and nationally. I am an outside the box thinker, big-picture kind of guy. I am very invested in the mission of Fiftytwo.four, Inc. and am thankful to be a part of the lives of the kids we love & serve in India. They are our motivation to continue, each bringing our specific skill sets to this amazing team of people.
What keeps you going on a run?
I always tell my wife (Dottie) that there’s not enough room for two runners in the family… that’s kind of true. Although I don’t run, I am at every race cheering for the team and doing whatever needs to be done behind the scenes.
Monte Eldfrick
How many years have you participated in Fiftytwo.Four?
For the last 14 years as a cheering member on the sidelines. I’ve run 4 times, 2012, 2018, 2020, & 2022.
What is your average pace (running or walking)?
11 minute miles
What skills do you bring to the board?
A big heart for India and the 52.4 runners, small business owner and my accounting background.
What keeps you going on a run?
I have to finish!
Christine Monaghan
How many years have you participated in Fiftytwo.Four?
I reluctantly gave it a try in 2014 and have been participating every year since!
What is your average pace (running or walking)?
Lately anything up to a 15 min./mile; knees-are-feeling-great days are 10 min/miles.
What skills do you bring to the board?
Between lots of experience with kids, a growing heart for orphans, and gaining 52.4 friends from many walks of life and abilities, I mostly bring an "ear to the ground" perspective to the board. God has used the variety of expertise, gifts, strengths, and a reliance on Him to build a solid foundation for Fiftytwo.Four.
What keeps you going on a run?
There's no "weekend warrior" option for this girl! Basic training miles are accomplished in the same manner half-marathons are completed... the spiritual over-riding the physical. "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." II Cor. 12:9. Gaining eyes to see that making sacrifices, multiplied by team efforts, allows some of the world's most vulnerable to be spared suffering and to be saved - in the present and forever - is a huge motivator! Team mates make the journey do-able and even enjoyable!
Dave Wilhite
How many years have you participated in Fiftytwo.Four?
My wife Linda and I have done the races for 11 years. 2023 will be our 12th year!
What is your average pace (running or walking)?
We walk most of the races and it takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes.
(Dave inspired a lot of people with his joke on a promotional video a few years ago when he said. ‘We’re just trying to run ‘for’ Heavens Gate (the orphanage we support in India!) not ‘through’ it.”
What skills do you bring to the board?
I am CFP (Certified Financial Planner) and work as a financial planner and money manager. I serve on several other boards and work with non-profits on charitable giving plans and programs with their donors.
What keeps you going on a run?
I remember the funds we raise helps the children in India and makes their lives better both physically and spiritually
Frank Coprivnicar
How many years have you participated in Fiftytwo.Four?
My family and I have participated for around 11 years, sometimes running, sometimes supporting, but always praying!
What is your average pace (running or walking)?
10 minute mile, but fast walkers sometimes pass me.
What skills do you bring to the board?
Love Jesus, Ministry leadership, organizational leadership and military experience.
What keeps you going on a run?
Feeling God's presence as I lay my life before Him and listen for His voice.
Linda Wilhite
How many years have you participated in Fiftytwo.Four?
The 2023 season was my 12th year!
What is your average pace (running or walking)?
When we first started we trained really hard and ‘ran’ them. After a while we realized the ‘running’ was too hard on our bodies and we decided to walk them. Dave and I usually finish in about 3 hours and 40 minutes. (give or take).
What skills do you bring to the board?
I have the experience of training for these half marathons each year for 10 years. I trained for 1 full marathon 7 years ago and walked the Portland marathon. It was hard for me in my 60’s but it did give me good training for our half marathons that year. We take the fundraising part of this very seriously and put out dozens and dozens of letters each year. We try to make them as personal as possible. We see what we do to train and do the runs and what the people donating money do, as a ‘team effort’ together to help the kids in India.
Dave and I work together to prepare and organize and facilitate a class each year at church called Untying the Knots of the Heart.
What keeps you going on a run?
What keeps me going is just thinking always of the reason we do it, for the sweet kids in India who need our help.