Run for compassion

Courtesy

On July 15, rain or shine, the 14th annual Ele’s Race will begin. Held at Jackson National Life Insurance Company headquarters, the 5-kilometer race is part of the Lansing Area Race Series. The run will raise money to benefit programs at Ele’s Place, a healing center for grieving children and their families.

Every week, Ele’s Place provides peer support groups for children, to teach them to understand and cope with the deaths of parents, siblings, or other loved ones. Their goal is to keep children from feeling alone or burdened with hidden emotions, while helping the healing process.

The nonprofit, community-based organization gathers about a thousand runners and walkers each year for the race around the 3.1-mile course.

“It’s a wonderful racecourse,” said Tracy Russman from Ele’s Place. “It’s flat and it’s pretty fast. I would say it’s about half and half between serious competitive runners and walkers, families and people that are walking or running in memory of someone that has died.”

The race includes children’s activities, a 100-yard youth dash and live music from the band, the Boomers.

“We have lots of kid’s activities,” said Russman. “We have food and music, and it’s just a really fun morning.”

The top five finishers from each division, male and female, will receive prizes, as well as the top five “Family Finishers,” defined as parents or guardians who cross the finish line holding hands with a child who is 12 years old or younger. Grand prizes will be awarded also, to the categories of “Overall Male and Female,” “Overall Male and Female Masters (age 40-49)” and “Overall Male and Female Grand Masters (age 50 and over).”

“It’s a very inspiring day of remembering those that we’ve lost and also it is really fun for families,” said Russman. “That’s why people should come, and of course to support Ele’s Place so we can continue to provide our services to families that are grieving in this area.”

Parking is available on-site, and participants are encouraged to leave scooters, hoverboards, skateboards, rollerblades, bikes and pets at home. Strollers are welcome, but occupants over 3 years old must register for participation in the race.

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Ele’s Race

Saturday, July 15, 8 a.m.

$35, FREE for kids 12 and under,

(517) 482-1315 ext. 28,

1 Corporate Way, Lansing,

elesrace5kelesplace.org,

elesplace.org