Early morning runners and walkers for Hope Center’s 3rd Annual 1K/5K Walk-a-thon were met with crisp clear weather Saturday morning September 7th at Stapleton Central Park.
Registration began early at 7:30 a.m. with a start time around 8 a.m. President/CEO Gerie Grimes welcomed some 100 runners and walkers, including young families and children to the event benefiting HOPE Center’s Vocational and Early Childhood Education programs. Established in 1962, the community-based agency has a daily enrollment of more than 200 children and 35 adults with developmental disabilities/delays and requiring specialized educational or vocational services.
Mrs. Grimes has served for more than three decades with the organization and seven years as President/CEO. She thanked the crowd for their support and recognized many sponsors and donors including premier participants Harvest Meat Company managers Matt Ryan and John Rosasco.
Apparently 60 plus is the new 40 because runner Jim Martin seemed rather relaxed after the 5K around the park. Meanwhile, runner Ayelen Verdié and her competitive siblings, Claudia and Marvin, also participated in the event.
Chief Operations Officer Cassandra Johnson and Development Director Bruce Duran and Business Manager Vanessa Nguyen helped coordinate the event, while Grimes’ sisters Deloris, Lorraine and Joanne Butler participated and showed their support throughout the day. A dozen vendor booths were represented by the Colorado Rapids, Denver Zoo, Denver Health, Donut Angel, Menchi’s Frozen Yogurt, On the Move Studio, Sam’s Club, the Zone Healing Center, Denver Preschool Program, Kids Choice Dental, Stapleton Fire Department, and Redline. The Colorado Rapids soccer team mascot–Edson the Eagle–entertained the young and old alike with his quiet but expressive antics.
For more information about HOPE Center visit www.hopecenterinc.org
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- John Gilmore of the Denver Zoo shows off Bamboo, the snake
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- Linda Colangelo and Sonia Agosto
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- Tavianne and Brianna Conner, James Carter, Bruce Duran, Patricia Carter
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- John Gilmore, Carol Gilmore, Patti Wells of The Denver Zoo
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- Gerie Grimes addressed the crowd
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- Runners assemble near starting line
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- Harvest Meat managers Matt Ryan and John Rosasco with Gerie Grimes
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- At the starting gate
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- Runners begin the 5K around Central Park
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- Prepared for a trip around Central Park
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- Kendra Graybill photographs Eliza and Macy stretching
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- Gerie Grimes ready to start the show
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- Kids jump into the lead
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- Adults take their time at the starting lineup
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- D’Ann Keough, Gerie Grimes, Toni Petitti
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- Shirley Bankston, Brenda Natt, Carrie Krol, Tea Morton, Cindy Conde
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- HOPE Center finish line
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- First runners arrive at finish
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- Justin Adams sprints to the finish line
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- Justin Adams and Nancy Paliska
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- Mercy Tucker, Emily Clark, Hasena Williams, John Rosasco
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- Patti Wells displays a zoo turtle
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- Firefighters Chris Larusso and Kevin Harford of Engine 26 Denver
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- Edson the Eagle…Colorado Rapids mascot
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- Strike a pose: James Roeling with Edson the Eagle
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- Mary Lancaster and Tanya Russell pose with Edson the Eagle
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- Erika Ferraco and Tomas Arnot
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- Joanne Butler and Gerie Grimes
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- Mary Davis, Joanne Butler, Gerie Grimes, Deloris Butler
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- Jim Martin takes a break
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- Race results at the finish line
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- Ayelen Verdie comes in with a strong finish
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- Ayelen Verdie crosses finish line
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- Ayelen Verdie with siblings Claudia and Martin
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- Taking a much-needed break after race
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- Tanya Russell, Tomas Arnot, Jennifer Prehn
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- Jennifer Prehn and Matt Ryan
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- Jennifer Prehn and Jane Gonzales
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- Jennifer Prehn and Samantha Connell
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- Marvin Verdie with certificate
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- HOPE Center Staff and Volunteers
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- Colorado Rapids booth vendors Nic Schlessinger, Stephen Younger, James Roeling, Chris Schaefer
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- Ann, Jeffrey and Leticia Lewis of Donut Angels
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- The Denver Zoo van brings in live animals for display
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- Eric Murray, Danyel Nelson with children Nelson Aaron Nelson, Denver Nelson and Sharon Morrison
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- Ommar Santoyo of Sam’s Club
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- Participants enjoy a light moment
