The Run with Carl happens every year on Labor Day Weekend. It all started with the Schillig family hosting the first run in Carl Schillig’s memory. He was 15 years old when he passed away in a car-pedestrian accident. The Run with Carl event was the main source of funding for his memorial before 1995. After 1995, the family hoped to continue raising money for a good cause, but a different one.
Since 2014 the money raised from this event funds scholarships for students in the community. Not only is the run for Schillig’s memory, but it also gives students a chance to earn a scholarship.
The Run with Carl was hosted on Monday, September 3rd, and each participant gathered at the Life Fitness Center on Middle Road to begin the run. Some participants chose to run the half mile or mile, while others entered the 5 mile or 5k. At this year’s run, there were even kids earning their service learning hours during the event by doing face paint for the children.
Abby Haessler is a junior at Pleasant Valley and a part of the Sparkles cheer team. The Sparkles planned on participating in the run and Haessler said “I’m so excited to run and walk with my team.” Monday rolled around and unfortunately Haessler couldn’t make it. Haessler said, “It’s a good thing the Run with Carl happens annually, so that next year I can make up for the memories I missed out on this year.”
Some college students fresh out of high school, that used to live in the area, were upset because they could not do the run this year either. Morgan Parkhurst ran the 5k last year and had a blast. “I wanted to do it again, because it really is a great time and a great cause, but moving away for college put the Run with Carl on hold for me this time around.”
The Run with Carl is an amazing way for our community to raise money, awareness and just simply run for fun.
