The race had a new route through downtown and across the High Street Bridge over the Great Miami River and back, and more than 600 runners took their strides for the charitable cause, said race officials.
Precautions due to the coronavirus were abundant throughout the event, with masks worn until the runners started on the course.
Runners were divided into groups and positioned at distances in marked off “corrals” in the park’s grassy area as they awaited staggered starts rather than the traditional, crowded beginning of the race.
“With what’s all going on right now, this is a great way for us to get out of the house,” said Hamilton resident Krystal Tipton, who was joined in the race by her husband and three young girls.
Katie Powers, founder and director of the race, said “we are so pleased with the turnout today.”
“I heard from so many people they were thankful to have this live event today and we were able to pull it off in a safe way,” said Powers, who said more than 800 came to the park, which also featured venders and mini-races for kids.
Later in the morning, outside of Middletown’s Hope House Mission, director Tim Williams and board member Jeri Lewis, helped staffers carrying in donated meals - including from Chick-fil-A restaurant - for residents in the shelter home.
“Today is a special day for our residents because so many of them have felt like outcasts in the community and also outcasts in their families,” said Williams. “We have a lot of volunteers coming to deliver meals to them for Thanksgiving. They have worked hard all week and we are so blessed to have them coming in.”
The mission home’s residents will know, said Williams, “people care and there’s still hope that their life can be turned around. And it’s one way that we get to express God’s love for them.”
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