The Veishea Torchathon is “running” on schedule this year as about 60 runners will trek 497 miles across the state of Iowa.

Barry Schmidt, co-chairman for Veishea tournaments, including Torchathon, said the torch, which is passed from runner to runner, will come into Ames early in the morning on Friday. They will meet at Hy-Vee and run toward opening ceremonies, which are held at noon in front of the Campanile.

“Everything is going as planned,” said Daniel Faidley, general Veishea co-chairman.

Faidley said the torchathon began on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at the State Capitol in Des Moines.

“The run started after the Veishea Voyage ceremony,” Faidley said.

Lt. Governor Joy Corning kicked off Veishea week with a 30-minute speech about Veishea’s history and how important Veishea is to the Ames community.

Faidley said Corning is familiar with the Veishea celebration because all three of her children were members of the Veishea Executive Committee during their college years.

Faidley said the run across Iowa had a good turnout for volunteers this year at first, but some of volunteers pulled out before the event due to health problems.

Each torchathon runner will run between 15 to 25 miles on the average. “Some will run more and some less,” he said.

Faidley said the torchathon route goes through the birthplaces and hometowns of Iowa State alumni and contributors. He said the contributors have not necessarily given money, but have made other contributions to the university.

“Many of the alumni represented have made a significant impact on the university, such as former wrestler Dan Gable,” Faidley said.

Faidley said he and his co-chair will speak at the opening ceremonies with three other speakers.

“We will also light the cauldron at the ceremonies,” he said.

After leaving Des Moines, runners first headed south to Indianola, then west to Winterset, Greenfield, Atlantic and Audubon; then north to Carroll, Lake City, Rockwell City and Fort Dodge. The runners then headed further north to Humboldt and they spent last night in Hampton, Faidley said.

They will head south to Waterloo, Marshalltown and then back to Ames for Friday.