Saturday’s Buffalo Days Run for a Cause attracted more than 40 runners and raised thousands of dollars for the Luverne non-profit Carson’s Cause.
The 10K male winner was Matthew Hamersma with a time of 42:18 and the female winner was Natalie Bender with a 50:07.
The 5K male winner was Austin Winter with a time of 22:06, and Heather Johnson was first among female runners with a time of 27:57.
Levi Thielbar won the 1-mile race in 6:48 and 13-year-old Kinsely Comeau ran it in 8:55.
The Buffalo Days Run has for 20 years been organized by Sanford Luverne, which opted not to host it this year. So, Carson’s Cause volunteers picked it up as an opportunity to raise money for local brain health.
“We were pleased with the numbers for our first-time effort, and we’re very grateful for everyone’s support,” said Lori Sorenson, mother of Carson Ehde who died last fall from suicide.
She and Carson’s girlfriend, Gracie Rozeboom, channeled gifts and resources after his death into Carson’s Cause, a non-profit that supports efforts to improve dialogue around brain health.
Saturday morning’s Buffalo Days 5K, 10K and 1-mile run also had hiking and biking options for people to join for the Carson’s Cause fundraiser.
As of press time, organizers were still selling race T-shirts and accepting donations for Carson’s Cause, but they estimated fundraising results at nearly $10,000.
They have committed to also hosting next year’s Buffalo Days Run for a Cause. More information about the non-profit is at luvacf.org/carsonrsquos-cause.