This year’s Haitian Hustle race — which included 240 runners and walkers — gathered at Becker High School Saturday to participate in the annual Haitian Hustle 5k Fun Run and kids races  to benefit families in Haiti.

There were also people racing “virtually” in 15 other states as well as a group of kids in Haiti.

Dawn Bengtson chairs the event and all money raised from the race ($20,000) goes to cover the educational costs of the children living at the Lighthouse Children’s Home in Bon Repos, Haiti.

The Lighthouse is run by Jesus in Haiti Ministries and is home to children in grade school ages, many whom were orphaned after the 2010 earthquake and dozens of young men who are finishing high school and preparing for college.

For nine years Bengtson has been “doing the hustle” for a worthy cause and her efforts are continuing to reap benefits for needy children in Haiti. 

The first Haitian Hustle was an overwhelming success, featuring 180 racers and  raising more than $10,000. The Hustle was picked up in 2012 by the City of Austin and funds raised from the 2013 races were sufficient to send all residents of Lighthouse Children’s House to school, as well as cover their supplies and uniforms. 

The next year, Fort Wayne, IN and Cincinnati, OH came on board. 

Bengtson gets many volunteers  this year especially, since three area churches are involved.  The race is sponsored by many businesses (25) from Becker and friends who have a heart for Haiti and want to give.  The only cost of the race is the tshirts; every other dollar goes to the kids.

Sarah Laugen from Big Lake  took first place in the women’s category with a time of 19:59. She was followed by Dani Nuest of Becker (20:10) and Julia Bengtson 0f Becker (20:18).

In the men’s division, Lukas Karel of Becker glided to victory in a time of 17:50. He was followed by Troy Nuest of Becker.