The Cole Varnum Agency hosts 4th annual Heart & Sole 5K

by Colby Hernandez, Staff Writer

The unexpected loss of GSW student Cole Varnum sent shockwaves through the community in 2018. Cole died of sudden cardiac arrest. Rather than dwell on his loss, his sister, Charley Varnum, decided to step up and help the community in memory of Cole. For four years now, the Cole Varnum Agency has held the annual Heart & Sole 5K to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest in young adults and raise money to provide the community with automated external defibrillators (AEDs). They also provide the community with CPR training.

This year’s race was held on September 16th. I met with Charley, Cole’s older sister, to interview her about the Cole Varnum Agency and the race. “This is our 4th race. In his memory, we started the Cole Varnum Agency and the Heart & Sole 5K. For four years now, we’ve had people from GSW participate. People who knew Cole, alumni, and even current students come out to do the race.

The Jimmy Carter Leadership Program sends volunteers to help us out. The BCM on campus, which Cole was active in, also comes out to race and support us. GSW also sponsored this year’s race as a Gold Heart.” Many students came out to race, including sophomore Abby Williams and senior Jackson Carlstrom.

You may be wondering, “Why is it called the Cole Varnum Agency?” I asked Charley and she chuckled. “Cole always answered his phone by saying, ‘This is the Cole Varnum Agency, how can I help you?’ He always said that one day he would open the Cole Varnum Agency. He never said what it would be, but he always wanted to open it. After he passed, we wanted to make sure this wouldn’t happen to anyone else. So we started an organization to raise awareness and provide prevention methods. When thinking of a name, it came to us, ‘This is it. This is the Cole Varnum Agency.’ We’ve used that name since.”

Participants take off at the 5K begins.

All photos by Colby Hernandez.

This year, 88 participants competed in the 5K, sprinting, running, jogging, and walking; ranging in age from just 11 weeks (in a stroller, of course) to the young age of 72! The race lasted about an hour. After everyone finished, workers served racers water, bananas, and chicken biscuits. After a 30-minute cool-down period, the placing ceremony began. Brian Miller, aged 25, won the race with a time of just 16 minutes and 41 seconds. The female winner, 34-year-old Cailtyn Mixon, placed 5th with a time of 21:44. GSW’s Aaron Pinkard placed 4th with a time of 18:17. The race was a success, with people getting out, having fun, and staying active, something that can help prevent heart problems.

You may now be thinking, “Well, how can I help?” “Be here next year,” Charley told me. “And pay attention to our Facebook page. We also accept donations year-round.”

Cole’s sister, Charley Varnum, and his mother, Lynn Register.

Racers line up at the starting line.