Last Saturday, along with celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Bridging Project, GRAFIA (Great River Area Faith In Action) held their annual 5k run/walk along Edgewood Street in Becker.
One hundred and twenty-five people came out and participated in the event on a cool, blustery morning.
The Bridging Project is GRAFIA’s student volunteer initiative and through it, they bridge generations through the platforms of service and relationships.
In the past 10 years, over 6,000 youth across central Minnesota have participated in TBP, recording well over 11,000 hours of volunteer service in their community, through intergenerational service to a neighbor in need, with a helping hand.
Local groups who have volunteered include: Mary of the Visitation, Becker Evangelical Free, Becker Lutheran, Oakwood, Becker Baptist, Grace Lutheran and Saron Lutheran of Big Lake churches from the area.
Also volunteering were the Becker Girl Scouts, Becker NHS, Becker Robotics, Big Lake Dairy Queen, Big Lake Coborns, the Big Lake Boys and Girls Scouts and the Big Lake NHS.
Some local corporate and congregational donors of The Bridging Project include the Citizen-Tribune, Becker Furniture World, Country Lumber, Grace Lutheran, Becker Baptist, Becker EV Free and Saron Lutheran.
Saturday’s race event was chip timed by Pickle Events, and the overall winners were Mark Klavenkamp, Clearwater, first place with a time of 19:48; Jim Abfalter, Big Lake, second, at 20:20 and Nick Koubsky, Sartell (formerly of Becker) third, at 24:17.
The top women's finisher was Becker native, Kalee (Schrupp) Nuest of Hancock, at 23:25. Kathy Brake, who is also a local volunteer, placed third in the women's overall, with a time of 25:10.
Each year, more and more children are competing in the 5K as well. This year, 11-year-old Calvin Marquette of Becker finished first; Hunter Stag of Becker was second and Bryce Hanson of Becker was third.
Adam Metzger of Becker won the men's age group 18-29.
Local runners Jack Johnson and Paul Fischer ran a very close race, with Johnson taking the third place medal at 26:48.
Local pastors and runners Patrick Drury from the Becker EV Free and Tom Lundeen of Riverside Alliance also ran, with Lundeen winning his division.
Fifty of the 125 participants signed in as runners while 75 participated in the walk/stroll and the children's KidsK.
The event’s oldest participant was 83 and the youngest was three.
People came as far as Missouri, North Dakota, the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota to support the work of the program.
This year, there was also an expanded kids zone at the finish line area, with a bounce house, games and activities for the kids. Many grandparents attended, as did some of the participants' grandkids. Over 40 volunteers also worked hard, helping to pull the event off.
Afterwards, everyone who volunteered and participated got one of the area’s famous grilled pork chops meal. There was also a medal ceremony afterwards, during which the crowd of about 200 had a chance to learn more about The Bridging Project and how they, too, can make a difference.
Community and Youth Development Specialist Trevor Schwirtz emceed the program and volunteer coordinators Lisa Kollar and Maureen Baty were also on hand to connect interested participants to some local volunteer opportunities.
“The weather was perfect this year and helped to make it a truly great intergenerational event,” said GRAFIA Executive Director Denice Freih. “That is what The Bridging Project is all about!”
Freih and GRAFIA want to recognize and thank Grace Lutheran, Midwest Sound Stage/Barry Bluhm, Geyers Signal, Becker Police, CentraCare EMS and Curtis Hed with Unity Shows for their support.
“Lastly, I'd also like to thank the race's founding Race Director, Scott Boerner, for his help and ongoing support with the event,” Freih said.
