Inaugural 5K attracts around 200 entrants

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A GOOD DAY — The first ever Preston Peterson Memorial Fund 5K was held Saturday, July 18. Pictured here with a check for $5,000 are the Peterson family from left: Tom, Tammy, Paige, Palmer, Perry, Porter and Payden. More than 200 people were in attendance for the event. (Star Eagle photo by Nicole Billing)


By NICOLE BILLING

Editorial Assistant

Weather conditions were a little warm for the inaugural Preston Peterson Memorial Fund 5K.

But that didn’t stop folks from turning out.

Approximately 200 participants showed up in New Richland Saturday, July 18 at 9:30 a.m. for the first scholarship fundraiser for Peterson, a 2014 graduate of NRHEG High School who tragically took his own life last December.

Some participants ran while others walked. Cindi Bartness, one of the organizers of the event said, “There were two reasons we decided to do this. One of them was to keep Preston’s memory alive and the other was to continue to add money to the scholarship memorial fund.” 

The other event organizer was Lyndsay Carlson. She had just completed Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth this past June, so she knew a bit about what to expect when putting together Preston’s 5K. She mentioned, “I could never have done it without Cindi, though.”

Together they were able to keep the event organized and on track.

Participants of the event started off by the school and ran or walked from down Ash Avenue until they reached the loop around town. Then they came back into town down Birch Avenue, coming back to the school. When they were done with the race, they were awarded with water and granola bars.

First place went to T.J. Schiltz, second to Carson Field, and third to Timothy Bartness.

When everyone was finished with the race, the Petersons were presented a $5,000 check.

Tom Peterson, Preston’s father, had a few words at the end, saying, “Thank you everyone. This really means a lot to us. Preston would have really appreciated it and we’re going to put the money to good use.”