MECHANICSBURG – The 5th annual Fearless 5K Run/Walk had 163 participants at Goshen Park in Mechanicsburg on Saturday, Aug. 19. Hosted by Running 4 Life, a non-profit based in Mechanicsburg, the event began as a fundraiser for Ellie Herdman, then 16, diagnosed with Osteosarcoma bone cancer. Family and friends started “Team Ellie” and the Fearless 4 Life 5K was founded. Today Ellie attends Wright State University and plans to become a pediatric oncology nurse.
To date the organization has raised $90,000. In 2016 the group received $17,000 in donations and this year $2,500. The latest recipient was 8-year-old Alex Griffin of Cable, who will receive a kidney from his mother early October.
The group offered a raffle, bounce house, food, vendors and medals for the winners in different age categories. Myah Bandy said she was running for someone she knew, while Ava Moore and Peyton Hodge were walking to support children with cancer.
Ten to 15 participants signed up for the Kids Fun Run and Avery Foss came in first. In the older category, the first male to cross the finish line was Joe Montoya, 23, of Westerville at 18:51. Sarah Gilbert, 13, of Powell, was the first female at 23:30. Other first place winners were Josh Spinner, John Kent, Steve Kirby, Jarad Bowman, Jason Homorody, Fred Smith, Mark Pack, Brad Six and Chris Powell. The women were Grace Forrest, Stephanie Detrich, Cheyene Baldwin, Mariah Fowler, Brittany Matesic, Jamie Gilbert, Kathy Durham, Jill Cochran, Traci Bogard, Tami Wenger and Jenny Mason.
To help support children with cancer contact Kathy Durham at 937-207-8442 or go to their Face Book page at www.facebook.com/runfearless4life.
