OGDEN — The 27th Ogden Regional Medical Center’s annual walk/run was held Thanksgiving morning
Participants were asked to donate nonperishable food items and could choose between walking 2 miles or running 5 miles.
This year’s event drew a record number of 1,400 participants. Four trucks were filled with nonperishable food items and more than $5,000 was raised for Catholic Community Services, the Salvation Army, St. Anne’s Center, and the Ogden Rescue Mission.
Father Charles Cummins, of the Newman Center, said he thinks the family atmosphere and infectious spirit of the event keep people coming back year after year.
“We started 27 years ago, and had only about 50 or 60 people. Last year I believe we had over 1,200 doing it. It’s a wonderful occasion. And people love it.”
Father Cummins also shared an important message.
“With God, if you want to feel good, make other people feel good. If you want to be happy, make other people happy.”
Sister Stephanie Mongeon added, “Whoever comes to this event is filled with joy and thanksgiving, and it makes for tremendous camaraderie. Our greatest hope is that their donations will help those in need. We want people to enjoy it and know that they’re giving up their blessings and they’ll have a great time. As a nutritionist I jokingly say, they can run and walk and then have no qualms of enjoying a big turkey dinner.”
Brooke Turley, 9, enthusiastically admitted to being a cheater for riding a bike in the event. Her mother, runner Sue Turley, has been participating in the event for six years and was happy to spend a chilly Thanksgiving morning running outside.
“We can do a turkey later. We get to be here with our family and so many people in the community. And it’s for a good cause.”
Sariah Long and Katie Thompson took the best times for female runners. Jared Seachrist and Nathan Pollard took the best times for male runners.
Some participants expressed concern that, because of the impending move of the Sisters of St. Benedict, this year’s event would be the last. Sister Mongeon put these worries to rest in her short speech and prayer before the commencement of the walk/run.
“I promise you this will go on for years and years, because of you and this community.”
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