 |
| Top three winners of the 5K race were (left to right) Jurjuan Walker (first), Mike Hlavek (second), and Mike Denny (third). |
Holy Cross Lutheran Church (8115 Oaklandon Road) hosted their fifth annual “Neighbors Sharing with Neighbors 5K Run/Walk” on Saturday to benefit the Sharing Place. Over 50 local residents came out for the morning run that started and ended in the church’s parking lot, taking runners and walkers through neighboring Admirals Landing and the Highlands at Geist.
“We were pleased with the turn-out,” said race organizer Eric Henricks, a long-time runner himself that came up with the idea for a race during an outreach committee meeting.”It’s all about helping the Sharing Place and just getting new people to see our church community.”
Coincidentally, the winner of this year’s race was a non-member, Jurjuan Walker of Noblesville. Invited by last year’s winner and second place finisher Mike Hlavek, Walker won by a :15 second margin. Mike Denny, winner of the 2006 race, came in third.
Runners paid a $10 entry fee which was matched by Thriving Financial for Lutherans and donated to the eastside food pantry.
“This year’s need will be bigger than ever given our economy,” said church member and 5K participant George Zeltner.
“Sharing Place used to have two locations, they now have consolidated it down to just one on the east side of Indianapolis,” Henricks explained. “Raising awareness of this great program right before the holidays is very important.”
“Holy Cross has been an anchor here in the Geist/Lawrence area for a long time,” added Tim Searcy, another church member that brought his family out to support the cause. “It’s a combination of being able to walk through our neighborhoods on a beautiful day and also being able to help others.”
John Sattler, Lead Pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, was at the finish line cheering on runners and taking an occasional glance over his shoulder at the education building under construction.
“We’re actually ahead of schedule and under budget which is rare on a project of this size,” said Sattler. Doors are scheduled to open in December with a dedication ceremony in the works for January 25, 2009.
For more information on the Sharing Place, visit http://LuthernFamily.org or call (317) 359-6566.
