In its fifth year, the annual Run for Ryan 5k brought out 250 runners, all ready to hit the race track in support of Letitie Clark, who established the run to honor the tragic death of her son at a college mass shooting seventeen years ago.
Ryan Clark died a hero in 2007 during the Virginia Tech Massacre while attempting to help another student. In response to his untimely death, his mother established both the Run for Ryan 5k and the Ryan Clark Scholarship.
The community service based scholarship is funded in part by the money raised during the annual 5k.
“Everything goes through toward the scholarship,” said Clark.
She added that donations can be made toward the scholarship year round at ryanstackclark.org
Remembering Ryan
Joining other runners on the track Saturday was an old friend of Ryan’s, Johnny Kobert, who said he attended school with Ryan from elementary school to high school.
Kobert said that although friendships change throughout the years, he and Ryan never failed to wave at each other in the school hallways.
“He had such a bright personality,” said Kobert. “You could always see him in a room, you could always know that he was there. You could see him across the gymnasium because you know, how loud, how vibrant he was. He was such a personality.”
Abounding Community Support
Earlier in the week before the race, students from Virginia Tech came to the area to offer their support during ongoing Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Clark had a chance to meet with them, calling them a part of her family.
“Bad things happen,” she said at the run on Saturday. “But we do want to say there’s something positive [that] can come out of everything. This run is meant to bring community together.”
She also emphasized her appreciation for local support: “I just want to thank the community. I want to thank everyone that came out. All those that wanted to come out but couldn’t make it, all who donated. I am just thrilled, and I hope to see you next year.”
And the winners are…
The fifth annual Run for Ryan 5k concluded with first place wins in the 18 and over age category and first and second place wins in the 17 and under age category.
In the 18 and older category, the male first place winner was Jannel Exantus with a time of 28 minutes and 56 seconds. The female first place winner was Seren Jacobs with a time of 27 minutes and 47 seconds.
In the 17 and under category, the first place girl was Marlee Birak with a time of 20 minutes and 48 seconds, followed by second place girl Adelia Baker coming in at 27 minutes and 48 seconds.
The first place boy in the 17 and under category was John Krysinsky with a time of 22 minutes and 26 seconds followed by second place boy Aadyen Stroman with a time of 24 minutes and 29 seconds.
