Nearly 5,000 people laced up their sneakers Oct. 26 for the Gary Burns Frisco Fun Run, raising more than $70,000 for the Frisco Education Foundation.
Hundreds more spectators and volunteers cheered on family and friends in the one-mile fun run/walk and 5K certified race.
“It’s a unique event and one of the few things we have in Frisco that bring us together as a community,” said Centennial parent Lloyd Shepherd, who is preparing for a half-marathon.
The annual event supports college scholarships for graduating Frisco ISD seniors, including the Gary Burns Memorial Scholarship Fund, and innovative grants for teachers and staff.
“We are very thankful to the Frisco ISD family and business community for their support,” said Foundation Director Allison Miller. “Fun Run participants, volunteers and sponsors all help the Foundation make a real difference for Frisco ISD students and teachers.”
The Fun Run moved this year from Frisco Square to Toyota Stadium to provide more space for participants, volunteers and activities.
“Our community area sponsors really stepped up and created a bigger, better entertainment area for families,” Miller said. “People hung around a lot longer after the race than in previous years because there was a lot more to see and do.”
The Fun Run honors the life and work of Frisco Assistant Fire Chief Gary Burns, who died of colon cancer in 1999.
It wasn’t until after Burns’ death that his family realized just how many lives in Frisco he had touched. Burns donated clothing, athletic equipment, money, meals and time to support less fortunate students in the community.
“He made a huge difference in the lives of many Frisco residents and it’s so neat that the Fun Run continues his strong legacy of giving,” said Burns’ daughter Ashley Kilmer, a first grade teacher at Fisher Elementary. “I am beyond proud to be his daughter.”
The Fun Run was also a time for families to get active and engage in some friendly competition.
“I wanted to beat him. It didn’t happen,” said Clark parent Martin Mansfield, who hoped to post a better time in the 5K than his eighth grade son Jacob.
For Gunstream parent Jessica Milander, it was the perfect opportunity to introduce her third grade daughter Jenna to running, a sport both she and her husband enjoy.
“This was her very first 5K and it was tough so we tried to keep a slow pace,” Milander said. “It’s important to get kids involved in sports so they can get that activity level that they need.”
Sponsors of the Fun Run included Star Local Media, Auto Splash, Auto Splish Splash, Tom Thumb, City of Frisco, Frisco ISD, SHW Group, Corgan, Frisco STYLE, Pole Position Raceway, Centennial Medical Center, Griesser Family, Concentra Urgent Care, Comstock Resources, Core Construction, Run On!, Care Now, RaceTrac, Bounce for Fun and In-N-Out Burger.
The Frisco Education Foundation also partnered with the City of Frisco Environmental Services Department to limit trash and encourage the use of recycle bins and compost containers.