— Runners gathered Saturday at Robbins Island Regional Park in Willmar for the fifth annual Promise 5K run. The event was hosted by Children of the Promise to help raise funds for the nonprofit’s work in northern Haiti.
In addition to the 22 local sponsors, registration fees and the freewill offering box, the event raised funds through pie. An anonymous donor offered $30 for each slice of pie eaten that day. With 66 pies made throughout the week leading up to the event, there were 528 slices of pie available to be eaten.
Levi Jones / West Central Tribune
The race was part of the
Glacial Lakes Championship Running Series,
helping runners to track times across races and compete at the state level.
Between the in-person runners and virtual runners, the 5K on Sautrday had more than 150 participants including Kirt Goetzke, a 63-year-old man who runs 100 5Ks a year and has run more than 3,000 5Ks in his life.
“The course is fantastic. Going around the lake there is some nice color in the trees,” Goetzke said.
is a Christian nonprofit based in both Willmar and Haiti. Founded around 25 years ago, the organization works with families in crisis within Haiti to provide support and housing.
Levi Jones / West Central Tribune
Levi Jones / West Central Tribune
Levi Jones / West Central Tribune
Levi Jones is the West Central Tribune’s business reporter. After growing up in the Twin Cities, Jones attended Hamline University for journalism and media communications. After graduating in 2020, Jones has worked as a reporter covering anything from sports to politics.
