There wasn’t much to stop runners from taking to the street in downtown Gig Harbor Saturday morning. Not drizzly weather. Not distance. Not the wrong shoes.
Almost 300 people registered to participate in the 5-kilometer/10K Resolution Run for Heroes. The event benefits the Behind the Badge Foundation, which aids families of fallen law enforcement officers.
“It’s for a fabulous cause,” said Jan Saxon, who visited from Sacramento to participate in the event. “It’s my friend’s 50th birthday, and we were planning to visit the Seattle area. We heard about this race, so we came here.”
Molly Wheeler didn’t let the fact that she forgot her running shoes get in the way of supporting the foundation. She ran the 5K in her boots and was the second female to cross the finish line. She came in sixth overall.
Ross Gilbert of Gig Harbor finished first in his inaugural effort in the event. Others took their time to enjoy the course with baby strollers and four-legged friends.
“I wanted to support the Washington State Patrol — my son is a trooper,” Ginger Waye said of her son, Kyle Dahl, who joined the race with his mother and sister, Kara Lindberg.
“After everything he’s gone through in training, I figured the least I could do was come out and support him,” Lindberg said. “I’ve seen him get pepper-sprayed and Tasered in a video. After that, a 5K is no big deal.”
Gig Harbor police officer Mike Allen called the race to order, and the 10K runners took off at 9 a.m., followed shortly afterward by the 5K runners.
The benefit behind the event was significantly symbolic this year, following so closely on the heels of the Jan. 1 shooting death of park ranger Margaret Anderson on Mount Rainier.
“I do a lot of running and walking anyway, but I was excited to run for a purpose, especially after what happened to Margaret Anderson,” said Janell Brown.
Brown’s husband, Quentin, is a reserve sheriff’s deputy.
“This is for all the officers who have passed away in recent years,” she said.
Lifestyles Coordinator and reporter Susan Schell can be reached at 253-853-9240 or by email at susan.schell@gateline.com.
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Running for law enforcement
Almost 300 people registered to participate in the 5-kilometer/10K Resolution Run for Heroes. The event benefits the Behind the Badge Foundation, which aids families of fallen law enforcement officers.
Top Photo
Susan Schell
Runners take to the street during the Resolution Run for Heroes. Ross Gilbert, no. 711, finished first overall.
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