By Doug Hare EBS STAFF
On
June 8, superheroes, caped crusaders and runners with incredible superpowers
ran the fifth annual Harbor’s Hero Run, a kid’s color run and a 5k jaunt around
Town Center celebrating the life of Harbor deWaard.
Snow
was in the forecast, but as Lone Peak High School science teacher Paul Swenson
and his daughter Solae were kicking off the event, the sun came out just in
time for the start of the race. At the “color stations,” participants were
doused with purple and yellow chalk as they made their way toward the finish
line.
“As is
the case with most Big Sky events, the hardy locals came out to support the
annual Harbor’s Hero Run in their hero attire despite snow and rain in the
forecast,” Swenson said. “Although this year’s turnout was smaller than last
year, the National Honor Society at LPHS was able to raise $4,000 through
awesome support from sponsors and runners alike and help community children get
involved in activities that might otherwise be out of reach. Thanks to Candice
[Brownmiller] and Jaritt [deWaard] for continuing to let the community keep
Harbor’s memory and spirit alive.”
Harbor
deWaard was a 6-year-old boy who tragically passed away due to parainfluenza in
January of 2015. The Harbor’s Hero Run race commemorates his life through his
favorite things: the event’s purple logo—his favorite color, the colorful masks
and capes—his love of superheroes, and the laughter and smiles of the
participants reminiscent of his cheerful spirit and joy for life.
Sponsored
by LPHS’s chapter of the National Honor Society, this year’s event raised funds
for Women in Action’s camp scholarship fund.
