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Many runners showed up for the occasion in costume. /Gazelle Sports
The runners packed Trillium Haven before and after the run. /Sylvia Lampert with Gazelle Sports
Wind and spitting rain didn’t stop more than 100 green-clad runners from showing up for the Brooks Urban Herd Pub Run at Trillium Haven Restaurant on Monday evening.
The 5K fun run, organized by Gazelle Sports, wound its way through Eastown and East Grand Rapids before circling back to Trillium Haven for a prize raffle and, in the spirit of the upcoming holiday, a round of drinks on the house.
The beneficiary of all this St. Paddy’s Day enthusiasm was Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank, to whom a portion of the registration fee was donated. The donation, which totaled $395, will enable the Food Bank to distribute 1,580 meals to food-insecure people throughout West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
“This was certainly the largest Urban Herd to date,” said Gazelle Sports’ Bridget Meyers. On typical Monday evenings, the Urban Herd meets at Gazelle Sports for free two-, four- and six-mile runs.
Gazelle Sports supports several local charities including Kids’ Food Basket and Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids, but, as Meyers explained, “this was the first time we have had an Urban Herd that raised funds for a nonprofit.”
To join the Urban Herd, visit gazellesports.com/urbanherd.
For more events that fund anti-hunger events in West Michigan, visit millionmealmarch.org.
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