This Hamilton fundraising event has seen huge growth in just 3 years. Here’s what it does.

These children participated in the Thanksgiving 5K fun run. PROVIDED

These children participated in the Thanksgiving 5K fun run. PROVIDED

A Hamilton event that benefits a local organization supporting teen mothers has grown more than 20 times over in just two years, as organizers look to even bigger events in coming years.

The Hamilton Thanksgiving 5K race has shown impressive growth, from 30 runners in 2015 to 360 in 2016. 537 in 2017 to 714 this year.

“This year’s event was another record year, growing from just 30 participants three years ago to over 700 this year, with over 70 volunteers,” said the event’s creator and race director, Katie Powers.

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Proceeds from the run, which this year was presented by the Hamilton Community Foundation, benefit YoungLives, a local ministry for teen moms. Mentors help the young mothers and work to break through barriers they face in having successful lives for themselves and their children.

“We were excited to continue this Hamilton holiday tradition,” Powers said. “The race was a true success as we raised above and beyond our fundraising goal to support and impact the lives of our local teen moms and their children in YoungLives.”

Top finishers in the event were Mike Gruenbacher (male), 17:23 and Carlie Culver (female), 20:34.

Age group finishers were:

• 12 & under: Nathan Green (24:06) and Clare Rettig (29:34);

• 13-19: David Krushar (17:59) and Abigail Clayton (23:47);

• 20-29: Audrey Wallace (20:57) and John Gruenbacher (21:25);

• 30-39: Charlie Mullings (18:22) and Kara Yates (22:02);

• 40-49: Roy Miller (21:42) and Michelle Berling (24:51);

• 50-59: Dana Gruenbacher (20:56) and Ann Gruenbacher (23:02);

• 60-69: Mike Schenck (26:40) and Ellen Baden (31:15); and

• 70 and Up: James Wray (45:56) and Carol Drees (55:37).

The “Most Spirited Houses on the Course” were owned by Karen Connolly and the Wilson family.

In the Kids’ Fun Run, for ages 2-4, winners were Philip Powers and Caroline Echert; for ages 5-7, winners were Ethan Weeds and Emme Scott; and for ages 8-10, winners were Asher Meyer and Rylee Klenk.

“As the race is set on Thanksgiving morning, it is a reminder of how grateful we are for our YoungLives moms to see and experience a community of people that want to love, support, and encourage them on their journeys as moms,” Powers said. “And it is a memorable day that makes us appreciate Hamilton as the place we call home with so many amazing individuals and businesses that come out to participate in the event.”

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