EHS Cardinal Club holds 5k

BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

e Elizabeth High School Cardinal Club held its annual Independence Day 5k Fun Run/Walk on Independence Day. e 5k trail twisted throughout Evans Park and Casey Jones Park in Elizabeth. e EHS Cardinal Club partnered with the Elizabeth Park and Recreation District to host the event. e parks have been greatly impacted by the torrential rains that Colorado has experienced this summer. e race trail was slightly altered from last year due to dam- age from the Running Creek ood in June.

“ e rains have taken a toll on the park and the trails,” said Mike Barney, Elizabeth Park and Recreation District executive director. “It’s almost like a mountain trail in some places due to the rut and drainage issues.” e Elizabeth High School Marching Band will provide popcorn, the Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Royalty will provide candy, and the local Girl Scout troop will serve beverages. In addition, the town will o er free birthday cookies to everyone in attendance. e 5k race is held each year to raise money for the EHS Cardinal Club Athletic Fund, a nonpro t organization that helps to provide scholarships for student athletes. is year’s event raised nearly $2,000 for the fund.

“We usually combine the town’s birthday celebration with the ‘Wine in e Pines’ event,” said Town of Elizabeth Deputy Clerk Harmony Malanowski. “ is year we wanted to make it a little more familyoriented and family-friendly, so we hold the event closer to the actual anniversary date, September 24th.” e free event is welcoming to the whole family, including leashed furry friends. To celebrate, the town will show the family-friendly animated lm “Despicable Me.” e movie will be shown on a giant outdoor screen. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to stretch out on while they watch the lm. ree local organizations will be fundraising at the event. ey will provide food and drinks for purchase to help them raise money.

“ e funds that are raised help us provide scholarships to graduating seniors, for student athletes, and for their continuing education,” said Rhonda Kildu , Cardinal Club volunteer. “Without this annual fundraiser, we wouldn’t be able to fund the scholarships.” is year, 63 participants and a few four-legged friends took on the course. is is a drastic increase from last year where only 35 racers took on the challenge.

After the race, participants and their friends and families were served a free breakfast made by members of the Elizabeth Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. e breakfast included pancakes, sausage, eggs and more.

“Our independence is really important to us. We want to celebrate our freedoms, like our freedom to practice religion as we see it kind of thing,” said Jeff Edwards, a mem-