Nearly 3,000 Salem, Keizer kids participate in Awesome 3000 fun run

More than 2,900 students participated Saturday in the 37th annual Awesome 3000 fun run at McCulloch Stadium in Salem. 

The event — known by many as a local "rite of passage" — brings together students from all around Salem and Keizer for a day of exercise and excitement. It also raises money for Salem-Keizer Education Foundation's Innovation Grants, which help teachers buy materials for creative projects and programs.

As the students gathered by grade on the football field, they began stretching, playing games and talking with their friends.

All sorts of fun costumes could be seen — from superhero capes, bright socks, bandannas and hair dye, to tutus, wigs and hot-dog-decorated leggings.

RESULTS:  Find your runner's name in the 2019 finisher database

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Area kids have been preparing for the day for weeks. Many said they love running with their friends and trying to win, even though it isn't a race. First graders also said their favorite part was when the event was over and they could go have sleepovers. 

"The Awesome brings out the very best in our community," said Lisa Harnisch, executive director of the Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub. "Focused on kids, education and a healthy activity makes us all stronger." 

For more information on the annual event, go to https://skeducationfoundation.org/.

There's more! Find results, photos, video and articles from previous years at StatesmanJournal.com/awesome.

ABOUT THE RESULTS
Run results were provided by the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation. If your child ran in Saturday’s Awesome 3000 but his or her name is missing here or online, go to bit.ly/3000missing to fill out our online form. You’ll need to provide the child’s first and last name, bib number, gender, grade, school, run time (if you know it), your name and your contact information.

Contact reporter Natalie Pate at npate@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6745 or follow her on Twitter @Nataliempate or Facebook at www.Facebook.com/nataliepatejournalist.

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