Running for 'Big Dad'

Seven men crammed into an old Econoline van last summer, a group of Hood to Coast Relay teammates comprised mostly of 1985 Coeur d'Alene High graduates.

Each 50-something ran a leg of the race that stretched from Mt. Hood to Seaside, Ore., giving the longtime friends ample time to chat about the days of yore.

When one man ran, the others rested and exchanged old stories. It wasn't long before their beloved track coach and teacher, the late Gary Rasmussen, became a topic of conversation.

Craig Hummel, one of Rasmussen's go-to distance runners, was quick to recall the former drill-team instructor's go-to phrase.

"(Rasmussen) would always yell, 'You're dogging it out there," said Hummel, who now lives in Kirkland, Wash. "He was such a big presence. But if you got to know him personally, he was a big teddy bear."

Bill Drake, Allan Giesen and Jim Gallagher were also in the hot and musty van that day.

The more the men talked, the more they came to the realization that Rasmussen, who wore the moniker of "Big Dad", deserved a day of remembrance for the thousands of lives he touched in his 32-year career as an educator.

He passed away June 9, 2012, at the age of 75.

"We wanted to rally the community around something in his memory," Hummel said.

Drake, now an assistant athletic director at Gonzaga, agreed.

"He motivated out of a place of care and you felt that," Drake said. "He would later stop and talk with you about the meet and how you did. You knew he cared. So we wanted to remember him and honor him and the Rasmussen family."

This became the genesis of the inaugural Big Dad "You're Dog'n It" 5K Fun Run/Walk, slated for April 29 at 8:30 a.m. at Hayden Canyon.

Entry is $20, which comes with official timing and bibs, provided by Across the Line Timing, as well as a T-shirt.

As many as 100 people have already expressed interested in the event and nearly 40 have registered.

"If 50 show up, great. If 500 show up, that's great, too," Hummel said. "This is about coming out, having fun and remembering a man who influenced thousands of people."

Hummel, who coordinates the event, said this isn't a fundraiser but would like to see the funds from the event donated to the CHS track and field program.

One of Rasmussen's three sons, Rick Rasmussen, said his family feels honored.

"This is really cool," Rick said. "We're happy that people remember my dad. I meet people almost weekly that had him as a coach, teacher or in drivers training. That's what's great about a community like this."