by Frank Lee
operations@thenewsleaders.com
Some came to St. Joseph to run. Others came to walk. But all of them who participated in the Old Glory Run came to support disabled American veterans.
The outdoor event on May 21 took place for the first time in St. Joseph instead of Cold Spring because of road construction, according to organizers of the annual fundraiser.
“I think it brings people together,” said Emily Heying, who showed up at the event which started near Colt’s Academy. “Running can really do that, and this is another good event to do that.”
The 21-year-old is a student at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph majoring in psychology and minoring in communications. Heying was at the event to support a friend who was running.
Sarah Lougheed, 38, of Carver, wore a T-shirt showing her support of the U.S. Marine Corps. Even though she is not an avid runner, she was running in the Old Glory for her third time.
“My brother and his wife are both in the Marine Corps, and usually they come with us,” Lougheed said. “This year they can’t make it, so our family kind of runs in their honor.”
Lougheed said she was excited to walk with her sister in the event, which consisted of a 5k run/walk and a 1k kids’ fun run – something she has done a couple of years in a row.
“They serve our country,” Lougheed said of those in the military and veterans. “And they do so at great sacrifice, and I think it’s upon us as citizens to give back to them.”
Proceeds from the St. Joseph fundraiser will help the DAV of Minnesota Foundation. Minnesota has about 369,000 veterans, of which more than 18,000 are members of the Disabled American Veterans.
“I did my first run just because it was local,” Tonya Schwartz said of her first time years ago participating in the Old Glory Run. “It was just to get my feet wet, and I liked the cause and the atmosphere. It was just a great run.”
The 34-year-old former Sauk Rapids resident ran in the 5K in the Old Glory Run – her fifth time in the event. She said she ran 681 miles last year, which helped her lose about 80 pounds.
“I don’t know what it is that makes runners a close-knit community, but it really is,” Schwartz said. “It’s like a family, the camaraderie. It just connects people.”
Runners and walkers wind along a path during the Old Glory Run on May 21, which started near Colt’s Academy in St. Joseph. Proceeds from the fundraiser will help the Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota Foundation. Minnesota has about 369,000 veterans, of which more than 18,000 are members of the Disabled American Veterans. For story and more photos, see page 6 and back page.
Emily Heying, 21, of St. Joseph, is a student at the College of St. Benedict who went to the Old Glory Run May 21 in St. Joseph to support a friend who is running in the annual fundraiser for disabled American veterans.
Sarah Lougheed, 38, of Carver, is not an avid runner but took part in the Old Glory Run on May 21 in St. Joseph on behalf of her brother and her sister-in-law, both in the U.S. Marine Corps.
A crowd of runners, walkers and spectators mingle near Colt’s Academy in St. Joseph on May 21 while waiting for The Old Glory Run to start.
Tonya Schwartz, 34, of St. Cloud, is a former Sauk Rapids resident who ran the 5K in the Old Glory Run May 21 in St. Joseph.
Participants in the Old Glory Run in St. Joseph cross the starting line near Colt’s Academy on May 21 to raise funds for disabled American veterans.
Runners and walkers set off from the starting line on May 21 near Colt’s Academy as the Old Glory Run begins.
Runners and walkers set off from the starting line on May 21 near Colt’s Academy as the Old Glory Run begins.
Runners and walkers set off from the start line on May 21 near Colt’s Academy as the Old Glory Run begins.
Runners and walkers set off from the starting line on May 21 near Colt’s Academy as the Old Glory Run begins.
A crowd of runners, walkers and spectators mingle near Colt’s Academy in St. Joseph on May 21 while waiting for the Old Glory Run to start.
Assistants help the disabled American veterans who participated in the Old Glory Run in St. Joseph on May 21.
Veterans wait to hand out medals to the top three men and women in each age category in the 5K run/walk of the Old Glory Run in St. Joseph on May 21. Finisher medals were awarded to all the participants in the 1K kids’ fun run.
