Half marathon and 5K to benefit Wendell Foster sees largest turn out yet

Runners and walkers converged at downtown Owensboro’s Smother’s Park bright and early on Saturday morning for the sixth annual Wendell Foster Half Marathon and 5K.

This year’s race coordinator and Wendell Foster’s vice president of development and community engagement Kara Howard said that more than 1,000 participants signed up for either the half marathon, 13.1 miles, or the 5K, 3.1 miles. There was also a due team division for the 5K portion of the race which included a runner pushing a person with a disability in a customized racing wheelchair.

“We’ve had more participants sign up this year than any other year,” Howard said. “Last year we had about 900 in total and we exceeded that this year which is always the goal. We want to get bigger each year.”

The race also included a steps division for both the half marathon and the 5K. These divisions were open to participants with disabilities.

“Participants in the steps divisions registered and kept track of the numbers of steps they took toward the 26,000 goal for the half marathon and 6,200 steps for the 5K,” Howard explained. “Then they were able to finish up their steps on race day. So, we had a place for everyone to participate because, after all, that’s why we’re here — to raise awareness for individuals with special needs along with raising money to meet the goals of Wendell Foster.”

Howard said that the race is one of the organization’s two biggest yearly fundraisers.

“But this is probably the fundraiser that promotes the most community engagement,” she said.

Those registered received their race day packets and T-shirts at Friday’s Expo at the Owensboro Convention Center. Vendors also participated in the Expo.

“All of the sign-ups were completed before this morning so that everyone could arrive and be prepared to run,” Howard said.

Runners left from Smother’s Park around 7:30 a.m. and traveled via some of the city’s main roads, including J.R. Miller Boulevard, Frederica Street, 18th Street and Salem Drive to name a few. The route even takes runners through the Wendell Foster campus.

Hydration stations were placed at various points around the course. Volunteers from The Opportunity Center posted up on the Veach Road side of Legion Park to provide water, motivation and cheers to the runners as they navigated through the course.

Howard said that 16 states, along with 150 cities, from states including Washington, California, Minnesota, Nevada and Oregon were represented at the race.

“There’s a participant from Washington that comes every year and pushes his partner in a wheelchair,” Howard said.

The fundraiser’s primary sponsor was Owensboro Health. Southern Star, The Settle Group of Baird Private Wealth Management and Boardwalk Pipeline Partners were also active sponsors for the race.

Howard also wanted to thank the close to 400 volunteers and the Owensboro Police Department, along with the City of Owensboro, for helping out during the race.

“We wouldn’t have such a successful event without all of the help and support we receive from the community,” she said.

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