LIMA, OH (WLIO) – Runners of all ages hit the pavement Saturday to raise money for local students while celebrating the Halloween season.
Around 180 runners and walkers participated in the Lima Kiwanis Club’s 7th annual Howl’oween Trick or Trot 5K and one-mile fun run. Some participants embraced the spooky theme, donning Halloween costumes as they made their way along the route that started and ended in Faurot Park, with a scenic stretch through Woodlawn Cemetery.
Proceeds from the event support the club’s Service Leadership Programs, which benefit students in Lima City Schools, Heir Force Community School, the Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Ohio State Lima.
“It makes us feel really good to have the community come out and support us in this whole process of helping build young leaders within our community. And it's just a great way to just kind of get together every year. It kind of seems like a reunion at this point. There's so many runners that's been doing this for the last seven years. That they come back, and it's just really good experience. The proceeds of this will go to help our student clubs. We'll get shirts for the kids. We'll help with some of the conferences and things that the Key Club will go to. And then we also will have that money go towards scholarships to help high school seniors go on to college to pursue their dreams," said Crystal Miller of the Lima Kiwanis Club.
In addition to the run, a Virtual Pet Contest was held, with proceeds benefiting local animal welfare organizations that help pets find homes. Click here If you would like to see this year’s entries.
