The annual Durant Main Street Colton’s Run is Saturday, Oct. 19 in downtown Durant.
The Run has been held since 2010 in memory of Colton Sherrill, son of Trace and Dena Sherrill. The 10year old athlete and Durant Main Street volunteer passed away 15 years ago from an unknown heart defect while playing basketball.
The proceeds will be used to provide education in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and use of Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s), to provide emergency equipment, including but not limited to AEDs, for use by schools and communities, to fund higher education scholarships, and community projects.
Colton was a shy boy who had the cutest little “crooked smile.” Many teachers, coaches and parents worked hard to get Colton to interact with them and after much prodding, they were usually rewarded with his trade mark “crooked smile.”
Anyone who knew Colton knew he was an avid Oklahoma Sooner’s fan. He wore Sooner red with pride, complete with official OU football helmet. One time, he and a friend were accused of highjacking a neighbor’s OSU flag following a Sooner victory over OSU. The flag mysteriously reappeared a few days later.
OK Runner will be set up during the Early Packet Pickup on Friday, Oct. 18 from 12-- 7:30 p.m. and ready to assist with your running shoe needs. If you are new to running or have not ever been professionally fitted, we highly recommend that you talk to the OK Runner staff and let them professionally fit you in the correct running shoe. They are traveling all the way from Norman, so let’s show them how much we appreciate their efforts for our run.
There is also a virtual event from Oct. 14-Oct. 27.
The virtual format allows you to run/walk anytime and any place between October 16, 2023 and October 29, 2023. You can run with your dog, a stroller, on a treadmill, walk or go for a hike. Each registrant will receive a long sleeve Colton’s run t-shirt. We will not be giving out awards for the virtual event.
The following is the schedule for race day on Saturday, Oct. 19: 7 a.m. - Race Day Registration and Packet Pickup Market Square (2nd and Main) Durant, Oklahoma 8:15 a.m. - Fun Run Begins 8:45 a.m. - Opening Ceremony 9 a.m. - 10K & 5K Start Awards will follow the race completion and there will also be music, Main Street Muffins and breakfast burritos.
Among things Colton’s Run has funded are: - 165 AEDs purchased for area schools and the community-provided training and yearly supplies for schools.
- Purchased bleachers for Colton’s Field and player benches for other soccer fields at Durant Sports Complex. In 2022, organizers purchased two new soccer goals and nets.
- Donated $25,000 to county schools to purchase PPE.
- Donated 385 Stop the Bleed Kits to Durant and Calera Schools.
- Helped purchase Lucas 2 Chest Compression System with Bryan County EMS.
- Endowed Colton Sherrill Memorial Scholarship Fund at Southeastern Oklahoma State University providing 45 scholarships to area students.
- Provided funding for the the creation and upkeep of the Crooked Smile Trail for the community and cross-country teams.
- Two ADA wheelchair swing sets at Durant City Parks.
- Durant Main Street Revitalization Impact - 92,110 volunteer hours and $25 million reinvested in Durant Main Street and Pocket Park Project.