Editorial: One last run, for John

Published 6:00 pm Thursday, April 26, 2018

One final run.

On Saturday morning, hundreds of runners and walkers are expected to converge on Haig Mill Road for the 11th annual Run for John 1-mile and 5K races. Through the years, the run has honored the legacy of the late John Bruner — for whom the race is named — and also raised more than $100,000 for college scholarships for some 200 local students.

Members of the Bruner family and of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church have held the race with proceeds supporting scholarships awarded to rising sophomores in college. The run was a major fundraiser for the scholarships, but the scholarship has become an endowment at Dalton State College.

The last run Saturday is a celebration of running, of pursuing learning and of John Bruner. He was a gifted runner who graduated from Dalton High School and attended Georgia College & State University. While running the Missionary Ridge Road Race in Chattanooga on Aug. 4, 2007, he collapsed and later died tragically from a rare, undetected coronary artery anomaly. He was 19.

The final Run for John is free to the public. The race begins and ends at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the run follows at 9.

For more information about the Run for John, visit www.therunforjohn.org. Gifts to the Run for John Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund can be made at www.giving.daltonstate.edu or by mail to 650 College Drive, Dalton, GA 30720.

The Bruner family has strong ties to Dalton, the college and the local running community. We encourage you to attend the race/celebration, whether you’re a well-seasoned runner or prefer to walk the 3.1-mile course or 1-mile fun run. The Bruners would enjoy seeing you there.