Black Sheep for Special Olympics

04/14/2026

09/29/2025

Thank You!
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make our 8th Annual Black Sheep ATV Run such an amazing and successful event in support of Special Olympics MN – Virginia Roadrunners!
To the Prospector Loop ATV and Babbitt ATV Clubs – your dedication to maintaining our trail system is deeply appreciated. The trails were beautiful, and your efforts allowed us to enjoy a wonderful ride. A special thank you to Mike Banovetz from Prospector Loop ATV Club for guiding us safely along the route.
We are also so grateful to Ed Zupancich, MN House Rep. Roger Skraba, and Joe & Laurie Juranitch for preparing and serving a delicious lunch donated by Zup’s Market – Babbitt.
Thank you to Russ Salo and staff at The Happy Wanderer and Fish Tales Tavern for hosting our lunch stop and wrap-up party—we truly appreciate your outstanding hospitality and service.
And finally, a huge thank you to the many businesses and individuals who generously donated items and prizes in support of Special Olympics MN. Your kindness made a big difference!
▪ Arrowhead Outdoors
▪ Cenex – Blomberg’s
▪ Christine Dishaw
▪ Dirty Dog Manufacturing
▪ DJ Raduenz
▪ Ely Community Hospital
▪ Ely DQ Grill & Chill
▪ Ely Family Dental
▪ Gene Hicks Coffee
▪ Grand Ely Lodge
▪ Insula
▪ Keen Insurance & Financial
▪ Ken Possehl
▪ Lossing Power Sports
▪ Lotsa Motza Pizza
▪ Marty Vagle
▪ Mike Townsend
▪ Rachael Snyder
▪ Razor Edge
▪ State Farm Insurance – Lindsey Keen
▪ Vance Bemlot
▪ Your Boat Club
▪ Z’Up North Realty
▪ Zup’s Market – Babbitt
▪ Zup’s Market – Ely
▪ Zup’s Liquor – Ely
Because of all of you, this year’s run was a true success. Thank you for supporting our cause, our community, and most importantly—our athletes.
With sincere appreciation,
Mary Zupancich, Meaghan Dahl, Nick Meister & your Black Sheep Family

09/29/2025

8th Annual Black Sheep Run = success!
📸credit: Brandon Enerson

09/23/2025

🚨🐑 One Last Ride for a Fantastic Cause! 🐑🚨
The 8th Annual Black Sheep ATV Ride is almost here, and we cannot wait to see you all out on the trails for an unforgettable day supporting Special Olympics Minnesota!
👉 This is our FINAL year leading the ride, so let’s go out with a BANG 💥 and make it the biggest one yet!
A few quick updates:
✅ No registration fee this year – instead, we’ll be doing FREE WILL donations at sign-in. Each donation = a wristband (and lunch ticket 🍔).
✅ Please wear your wristbands through lunch – they help cover event costs not otherwise donated.
✅ Don’t miss the 50/50 raffle, silent auction & more – ALL proceeds go directly to the Roadrunners Special Olympics team!
We’ve had 8 amazing years riding with you all, and this year is all about celebrating what this community has built together. Let’s show up, ride hard, and raise BIG for the athletes who inspire us every day.
🗓 Saturday, September 27th
Let’s make this the most impactful ride yet – see you there! 🖤🐑💪

09/20/2025

One more week!! Come ride with us for Special Olympics Minnesota. If you can’t ride with us we would be happy to accept a donation. Contact Mary, Meaghan or Nick. Thank you to our amazing supporters!

09/08/2025

**UPDATE**
There will be no registration for this year's ride. Free will donations are appreciated - benefitting Special Olympics MN - Virginia Roadrunners.

Stay tuned for more details.

05/10/2025

Wishing the happiest of birthdays to this favorite sheep! Have a great day, Nick!

01/24/2025

2025 ATV RIDE:
Saturday, Sept 27

11/14/2024

Tanner is the son of one of our favorite Black Sheep, Stacy Swanson. Your donation would be appreciated.

10/16/2024

Thank you to everyone that helped make our 7th Annual “Black Sheep ATV Run” another successful ride, benefitting Special Olympics MN – Virginia Roadrunners!

To Prospector Loop ATV and Babbitt ATV Clubs – thank you!! The trails are beautiful. Your hard work in maintaining our trail system(s) and allowing us to have this wonderful ride is appreciated.
Mike Banovetz with the Prospector Loop ATV Club – thank you for guiding us safely on our route.

Special thanks to Ed Zupancich, MN House Rep-Roger Skraba, Joe & Laurie Juranitch for preparing and serving our wonderful lunch donated by Zup’s Market-Babbitt.
Thank you to Russ Salo and staff at The Happy Wanderer and FISH TALES Tavern for allowing us to use their establishments for our lunch stop and wrap-up party. We all appreciate your wonderful service.

MANY thanks to those businesses and individuals for their donations and/or drawing prizes to support Special Olympics MN!

Brew Pub
Coke
Dirty Dog Manufacturing, LLC
Dorothy Hitchcock
Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital
Ely Family Dental
Excel Fresh Meats
Fresh PaintGrand Ely Lodgerand Ely Lodge
Gregory Foods
Insula RestauranLossing's Power Sportss Power Sports
Mary & Ed Zupancich
Meaghan Dahl
Nick Meister
Range Cooperatives (Cenex)
Northern Wholesale Company
Razor Edge Systems
Rachael Snyder
Spartan Nash
Rural Living Environment
Z’Up North Realty
Whole Stone Farms
Zup’s Market - Ely
Zup’s Liquor
Zup’s Market - Babbitt

Safe travels,
Nick Meister, Meaghan Dahl, Mary Zupancich
& your Black Sheep Family