Run for Hope returns for a second year

The second annual Run for Hope charity run/walk will be held Saturday, July 7, at Grace Lutheran Church, 1300 Kishwaukee Road. The race, which starts at Grace Lutheran and winds through Emricson Park, is held to raise awareness and support of research for childhood cancer in memory of Hope Fuller, a 12-year-old Woodstock resident who died in 2010 as a result of a brain tumor. 

Last year, about 230 runners participated in the event and about $10,000 was raised. Event coordinators Lynn Fuller and Josh Einspahr said they were happy with last year’s results and are hoping to attract 300 runners, raise $15,000 and continue to garner sponsor support with this year’s event.

“Last year was amazing,” Fuller said. “We didn’t know what we were doing, and it turned out really well. So far, this year is shaping up really well. We learned a lot from last year.”

“Last year, we had a huge response with sponsors, “Einspahr said. “We had 20 sponsors, which was great — a lot of support from local businesses. We are seeing the same thing this year, which is great to see.”

New this year is a 1/2-mile run for children on the Grace Lutheran property. Chip timing will be used instead of stop-watch timing for all races.

Last-minute registration and packet pickup start at 7:30 a.m. the day of the event. Preregistration is not available for the run for children. The 5K run/walk will start at 8:30 a.m.; the 1/2-mile race will start at 9:30 a.m.; and the race results and awards ceremony will be held at 9:45 a.m. Medals will be given to the top two finishers in each age group, and a special gift will be given to the overall first-place finisher in the men’s and women’s categories.

Run for Hope will accept sponsors until June 16. To sign up for the race, visit www.odds.com and select the Woodstock link.

For information or to volunteer, email runforhope@live.com.