As a symbol of their unity, Greg and Margie Bruner held hands as they crossed the finish line of last year’s Run for John race, and they plan to do so again Saturday.
“I couldn’t have made it through this without her love and support and I think she feels the same way about me,” said Greg Bruner, father of John Bruner, the namesake of the 5K race.
The 19-year-old collapsed in 2007 while running the Missionary Ridge Road Race in Chattanooga and died from a heart attack caused by an abnormal coronary artery, a condition no one knew about.
“In a strange sort of way, John’s loss has made us realize how blessed we are as a family to have three beautiful children and to have shared John’s life for 19 years,” he said.
“Sometimes you don’t know what you have until it’s gone, it’s a tough lesson but we are moving on,” he added.
The third annual Run for John race and walk will take place Saturday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Last year, organizers said they had 200 participants running the 5k race and about 150 in the one-mile race.
In addition to the race, organizers will give $10,000 in scholarships to runners and parishioners of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Scholarship applicants are asked to write an essay about what their faith means to them, said Mr. Bruner, because, after his son died, they found an essay he wrote for college about the importance of his faith.
“Just the fact that he put in writing about how he feels about his faith meant a lot to us and that’s really the theme behind the Run for John,” Mr. Bruner said.
Enoch Elwell, a senior at Covenant College who won last year’s 5k race and a $1,000 scholarship, said he felt a connection to John Bruner.
Before he took part in the Run for John, the 23-year-old cross-country runner passed out during another race and was taken to the hospital.
IF YOU GOWhat: The Run for JohnWhen: Saturday; registration at 7:30 a.m., one-mile race/walk at 8 a.m., 5k run at 9 a.m.Where: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1775 Haig Mill Road, Dalton, Ga.Information: 706-278-3107ON THE WEBhttp://therunforjohn.org
“I ended up being OK, but the doctors mentioned what had happened with the Bruners and that really made me connect with the race,” he added.
Even though he can’t participate this year because he has other commitments, Mr. Elwell encourages everyone to do so, both athletes and non-athletes.
Race Director John Gleaton said the scholarships and the event pay tribute to John Bruner, but they also let the family know that people care about them.
“You don’t have to be a close friend to know what good people they are,” he said.
Continue reading by following these links to related stories:
Article: Run for John in Dalton honors fallen young runner