Running To Remember

On Saturday, April 13, Sag Harbor will turn into a running course for a cause. At the ninth annual Katy’s Courage 5K, sneakers will be hitting the pavement to honor and remember a 12-year-old who stole the community’s hearts, Katy Stewart, who died of a rare pediatric liver cancer.

“We look forward to the 5K every year,” said Brigid Collins, Katy’s mother. “This race is such a great way to kick off the spring season and see our community come together. We love seeing all the talented athletes and new faces year after year. It’s so heart-warming to see our friends, family, and supporters in attendance and coming together to support our cause. It’s a great course.” Runners of all levels — and ages — are encouraged to participate, from competitive to casual.

Katy’s Courage is a not-for-profit organization that supports education, children bereavement counseling, and pediatric cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan.

Partial proceeds from this year’s event will go towards college scholarships for seniors at Pierson and East Hampton High School. In addition, money raised will fund Katy’s Kids at the Children’s Museum of the East End. Katy’s Kids is a dedicated group providing a healing environment for kids and their families who have recently lost a loved one to cancer. The open sessions take place on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

Katy’s father, Jim Stewart, also looks forward to the event ever year. “After being inside all winter, it’s great to get out and see all our supporters, friends, and families participate in this heart-shaped 5K. We deeply appreciate all the camaraderie and love shown for a cause close to our hearts that honors the memory of our little girl, Katy.”

Registration and check-in takes place from 7 to 8:15 AM, with the race beginning at 8:30 AM. The race will head north from 21 West Water Street before making a right onto Main Street and another right onto Glover Street. A run through the Redwood section will finish back on Water Street.

“Most recently, we made a contribution in support of an initiative at Memorial Sloan Kettering designed to help fund a DNA sequencer and the genomic profiling it drives, helping patients get the earliest and most precise treatment possible. Each of these initiatives is in need of dollars to positively affect our community, and we continue to see first-hand the way in which they make a wonderful difference for the children and families who receive assistance from them. We look forward to seeing everyone at the race!” Stewart concluded.

Visit www.katyscourage.org for race sign-up or to make a donation.

nicole@indyeastend.com