Outrun Hunger effort helps 460 local families

Kari Cotter (left), director of the annual Outrun Hunger 5K Fun Run and Race, presents a check to Tammie Fenn (center), administrative assistant of the Open Door Outreach Center, and Julie Day (right), who works in marketing for Open Door. The race is held by Grace Church, with locations in White Lake and Commerce townships, to raise money to pay for holiday meals for 460 area families in need. (Photo submitted by Kari Cotter)

More than $9,000 was raised to help feed nearly 500 families this holiday season thanks to hundreds of runners participating in Grace Church’s second Annual Outrun Hunger 5K Fun Run and Race.

Kari Cotter, director of the race, recently delivered $9,206.40 to Hospitality House and the Open Door Outreach Center on behalf of Outrun Hunger’s work.

Cotter said about 300 runners crossed the finish line during the Nov. 3 race, which was held at the Commerce Commons Pathway outside of Commerce Township Hall.

First-place went to Thomas Preiss, who finished the event in 17:45, nearly a minute ahead of the the next finisher.

“We are proud of our fans,” Cotter said. “Because of them, 460 families will enjoy a hot meal this holiday … We are grateful and thank them on behalf of Grace Church,” which has locations in Commerce and White Lake townships.

This year’s event included 20 sponsors who provided their products and services, 45 donors who contributed, and about 80 volunteers who donated time.

All of the funds from the event are given to Hospitality House in Walled Lake and the Open Door Outreach Center in Waterford Township.

Cotter said the event was an even greater success in its second year. The race raised about $7,400 in 2011, exceeding the initial goal of $3,000.

Final results from the race can be found at www.outrunhunger.org.

This year’s sponsors included Reliv, Biggby of Waterford, Uptown Grill in Commerce, Leo’s Coney Island of Commerce, Union Lake Dairy Queen, Aleko’s Carryout, Lakepoint Chiropractic, PT Massage and Caring Hands Massage, Body Language, New Balance, Running Gear of Waterford, Running Fit, American All Star Gymnastics, Photography by Shelley, Jackson Hewitt Tax Services, Community EMS, Pump it Up, Meijer, and Kroger.

Cotter urged people to save the date for next year’s run on Nov. 2, 2013 to help raise more money for area families in need.

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