The 16th annual Colton’s Main Street Run took off on Saturday with 1,390 runners and walkers.
Trace and Dena Sherrill, parents of Colton Sherrill, founded the run in memory of their son, who died in June 2008 at age 10 from an unknown heart defect while attending a basketball camp.
The event raises funds for the Colton Sherrill Memorial Foundation. The purpose is to provide education in CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Numerous AEDs have been placed in schools and other public buildings. The run also funds the purchase of emergency equipment, higher education scholarships and community projects.
Trace Sherrill thanked Cardinal Glass, the presenting sponsor of Colton’s Run and also Roadhouse restaurant for allowing organizers to stage out of their area. He also thanked law enforcement volunteers and Rural Enterprises.
“Thank you again very much for being here,” Sherrill said. “Dena and I really appreciate your support.”
During opening ceremonies, Boy Scout Troop 615 presented the colors and Tarah Percell sang The National Anthem.
Don Hyde spoke and he gave the opening prayer.
“We’re here for a good cause and the Sherill family is so very thankful for each and everyone of you being here,” Hyde said.
Sherrill said, “I just want to say from Dena and I how thankful we are for the community support and to have Colton’s Run be at its 16th year really means a lot. It gets better and better every year. We couldn’t do this without our committee that helps us with Colton’s Run. So, if you see someone in a red Colton’s Run shirt today, they’re a member of that committee.
“My wife Dena works on this about eight months out of the year. It’s tough to make things go right, so let’s give a big hand to her as our race coordinator. It’s like having two full-time jobs, so it’s tough.”
Sherrill then announced that the event had 1,390 runners and walkers, which he said is the most ever. Last year, there were 1,354 participants.
“Thank you so much,” he said.
Results of the 5K and 10K runs can be found at www. coltonsrun.com.
