(Courtesy/Ms. Bening)

This summer, Service Board Advisor, Ms. Bening, took an unusual journey to Leadville, Colorado—the highest incorporated city in the continental United States, sitting at more than 10,000 feet above sea level. Her destination was to witness a race like no other: the town’s famous donkey races.

A summer reading book, Running with Sherman by Christopher McDougall, sparked Bening’s inspiration to embark on this adventure. The story of a neglected donkey rescued by a community and trained to compete in Leadville’s races made Bening decide she wanted to experience the races for herself.

With the support of Academy’s generous Putnam Grant, Bening made the trip a professional development project, tying the reading to a real-world experience. In late July, she set out with her immediate family and stayed until early August.

Before heading to Leadville, the group stopped in Fraser, near the Winter Park ski resort to acclimate to the extreme altitude. They explored state parks, including Monarch Lake, where Bening unexpectedly ran into Academy alumnus, Dean Bring’02 and his family. Despite having had hip replacement surgery just a month earlier, Bening thoroughly enjoyed sightseeing and taking in Colorado’s scenery.

In Leadville, the Benings immersed themselves in the town’s history and culture. Once a bustling mining hub with opera houses, fisheries, and a population of 30,000, Leadville declined after its mines closed. Today, events like extreme marathons and the annual donkey races help keep the town’s economy alive.

Already familiar with the sport’s unusual rules from Running with Sherman, Bening knew that racers don’t ride the donkeys but instead run beside them on leashes—a nod to the historical context of mining. “You go up there thinking you’re going to watch a donkey race,” she said, “but then you learn about the history of Colorado and mining, and it’s really fascinating.”

For Bening, the atmosphere was both festive and meaningful. She and her family met racers—including some featured in McDougall’s book—whom she described as “celebrities in donkey racing.” Watching the finish line celebrations was a highlight, as was seeing how the event brought the community together.

The trip carried special significance for her daughter, Elissa’13, who plans to train and then compete in next year’s race. “We are grateful that this book inspired us, and we thank the Academy committee that bestowed us the grant,” Bening says. Her daughter is plans to run next year, and “we all plan to go back to watch her,” said Bening.

Reflecting on her experience, Bening emphasizes the lesson of community. “It was a really fabulously rich experience to be part of something that was trying to revitalize the town, have some fun, be quirky, and do something with my family,” she says.

For Ms. Bening, the races weren’t just about donkeys—they were about resilience, history, and the power of people working together. She is excited to share how her journey reflects the power of community, both in Leadville and here at Academy.