17th Annual Race for Grace

ZANESVILLE, OH –A celebration of community, resilience, and of course Thanksgiving, as runners lace up their shoes to take part in an amazing event.

The 17th annual Race for Grace fundraiser took off  Thursday. Many gathered to support Grace United Methodist Church and East Side Community Ministry. This is their 3rd year partnering with the Rotary Club to make the community event bigger and better.

“There’s a 5k run and one-mile walk, so it’s a flat course through downtown,” said Matt Schreiber Race for Grace Race director. “It’s a time to come out for fellowship and to support the community.”

This is a timed race and placements are given to the top three in each age group. While many will be running, walkers are accepted as well.

Race participant Ken Ludt wants everyone to remember, it’s not about being the quickest.

“Take it easy, have fun, that’s the big thing. Everybody thinks that you have to run as fast as you can, as hard as you can, no,” Ludt said. “It’s about getting out and moving and yeah, just getting some exercise.”

When asked about his favorite part of the run Ludt laughed and said “Stopping!” A lighthearted reminder to keep going this holiday season and that every effort counts, no matter the pace.