Community Corner

VIDEO: Racing to Remember Pat Mizwicki

About 800 participants turned out to Frankfort's Breidert Green on Saturday to be a part of the first 5K run/walk in honor of the late Lincoln-Way East freshman from New Lenox. Check out the highlights from the event.

About a half hour Saturday, May 19, before the first Patrick Mizwicki 5K Run/Walk began, the crowd of participants gathered on packed the grassy common area in downtown Frankfort. It was a sight that even Terry Cleeland didn't expect.

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Cleeland, the president of the , knew 500 racers had registered before the cutoff, and he expected about another 100 to 150 to sign up the day of the run/walk. Instead, the foundation estimated that the event had a turnout of close to 800 people, he said. 

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It shouldn't have been a surprise, considering the effect the late Mizwicki had on people. The New Lenox teen and freshman in Palos Township. .

IN MEMORY: 

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Those qualities—along with Mizwicki's knack for bringing a smile to anyone's face—brought out classmates, teammates on his Frankfort Eagles baseball team and residents from the Lincoln-Way area to participate in Saturday's event, which organizers hope becomes an annual tradition. Proceeds for the run/walk go to the Strive for 5 Foundation's scholarship fund.  

Watch the video in the media gallery for highlights from the event, as well as interviews with Cleeland, Mizwicki's cross-country coach and more.

 

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