Saturday, July 27, will mark the third time the RunIt 5K has been run in memory of Ava VanderStelt, a Whitehall student who passed away in 2022, but this year race host White Lake Nutrition is adding a color run to the event.
Jenna Sorensen, co-owner of White Lake Nutrition and race director, said the addition of a color run was made to encourage more participation in the race and also underscore the positive atmosphere that the race has pursued since Vanderstelt’s passing.
“With mental health being the theme, a color run, we thought, would give that kind of hopeful feel to the race,” Sorensen said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to talk to people about the whole cause and everything behind it.”
There will be five stations along the 5K course where runners can be splashed with color, creating a vibrant scene as runners make their way to the finish. As in the past, the race will begin and end in front of the White Lake Chamber & Visitor’s Bureau offices, on the Whitehall side of the causeway. Race time is 9 a.m., with registration beginning at 7:30. Awards will follow, presented to top finishers in the age groups of 8 and under, 9-12, 13-16, 17-22, 23-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70 and 71-plus for both males and females.
So far, Sorensen said, about 230 have registered to participate this year, and registration usually picks up late, so she is optimistic the race may top last year’s 354 registrants. The cost to race is $35 and includes a t-shirt, water and light snacks for runners. (To register, visit runsignup.com, select ‘Find a Race,’ and search for the RunIt 5K.)
Prior to the race, VanderStelt’s family will gather the participants for a few words and a community prayer.
Proceeds from the race will continue to fund the Rose Award in VanderStelt’s name, a $500 scholarship given annually to a Whitehall and a Montague student who exemplifies the qualities VanderStelt stood far. Further proceeds will benefit the Hope Squads at both high schools, student-led organizations that provide support in the name of suicide prevention.
Hope Squad members from both schools have helped in gathering sponsorships for this race and will help out on race day as well, Sorensen said, an increased involvement from years past.
“I think it completely changes it,” Sorensen said. “I think it gets, especially, adults and businesses in the community more aware of what’s going on with today’s youth. I think any time you see youth being involved in a race, people’s minds get turned to it. I don’t think it’s bigger this year just because it’s year three, I think it’s because the kids are more involved.”
