The Ocean City High School Key Club’s recent “One Day Without Shoes” 5K Run and one mile fun walk proved to be a tremendous success.
More than 160 barefoot runners took part in the festivities, planned as a fundraiser and awareness raiser to benefit children without shoes. The event, which consisted of a barefoot 5K run starting at 23rd St. Beach and continuing to 40th St before returning; and a fun run/walk from 23rd to 18th and back drew students and faculty representing each school in the district, faculty, community groups and individuals.
For each participant who posted a barefoot picture on social media, TOMS: One for One shoes donated a pair of shoes to a child in need.
Kara McNally of Ocean City was the overall winner of the 5K, finishing in 25:36; second place went to Mark Tuner of Clearview High School in 28:13, and Nicole Schwerm of Ocean City came in third in 28:32.
A highlight of the race was 11-year-old Abby Laursen of Ocean City who competed in her first 5K and came away with the championship in the 12 and under age group.
All participants received a tee shirt and were invited to partake in post-race refreshments.
“This was an amazing event to raise awareness to children’s health and education,” said Ashley Schmid, spokesperson for the event.
The idea for the run came from Key Club Treasurer Sammi Bornhardt who wrote a grant, accepted by Kiwanis International. She enlisted TOMS support because “We have many of the same beliefs as TOM’S and are founded on Community service,” Bornhardt said.
Some of the participating groups included the OCHS Softball team, Associates of the Sisters of St. Josephs of Somers Point, and sixth graders from the Ocean City Intermediate School. The largest group was “Bornhardt’s Barefoot Buddies,” and the High school’s Student Council manned the water station at the race’s halfway point.
With a donation of $10 per child participant and $20 per adult, the race raised more than $2,000, not counting extra contributions and the shoes.
“We want to help not only those in our community, but around the world,” Bornhardt said. “We hope to make an impact on the world, literally one barefoot step at a time.”
Bornhardt and the Key Club have certainly achieved their goal.
