On June 19, 2026 three Charleston residents, two of whom are originally from Newberry, toed the starting line of the Big Horn 100-Mile Ultramarathon in Wyoming with two goals in mind. The first goal was to finish the race in the allotted time of 35 hours. The second goal was to raise $25,000 for Windwood Farm, a home for boys who have been abused and neglected located in Awendaw, SC.
Prior to the race, the three runners, Will Senn, and Jay Bethea from Newberry, and Peyton Talbott, launched a fundraising campaign called “The Miles That Matter” to raise money and awareness for Windwood Farm. Their WHY behind this effort was simple; “We’re choosing to do something hard for those who have endured hardships they never chose.” says Senn.
Will Senn is the current President of the Exchange Club of Metropolitan Charleston, and has been tied to the nonprofit organization for over a decade. The Miles That Matter fundraising campaign started as a wild idea, and soon became a movement attracting individuals and businesses alike to donate to the mission.
The race was held in the Big Horn National Forest in Wyoming, and would test even the most experienced ultra runners. None of the men from Charleston had ever run an ultramarathon, and almost all of their training was done at sea level. The Big Horn 100-Mile Trail Race started at an elevation of over 4,700 feet and climbed above 9,000 feet at its peak. The runners would eventually climb over 20,500 feet of elevation throughout the race, enduring extreme changes in weather, sleep deprivation, fatigue, and mental challenges.
Thankfully for the runners, they had a crew that was assisting them throughout the race providing much needed support and encouragement at designated aid stations. As the miles passed on the race got tougher, and more and more runners began to drop out. Jay Bethea ran valiantly, but due to an injury to his knee had to pull out of the race at mile 66. Peyton Talbott and Will Senn continued to press on knowing that time was not on their side.
Physically and mentally drained, the two Charleston residents continued to remember why they were running the race, and the bigger impact they would be able to make for the boys of Windwood Farm. With only 18 minutes left to spare, both men crossed the finish line after running for 34 hours, and 42 minutes. They had given it everything they had, and left the Big Horn mountains as finishers of one of the toughest ultramarathons in the United States.
As for The Miles That Matter fundraiser; by the end of the race the campaign had been successful bringing in over $32,000 in donations by over 130 individual donors.
This challenge was so much more than the miles. It was an opportunity for three men to make a positive impact in their community, and rally people around a cause that was greater than themselves.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”