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The 6th Annual “HSJ” Hope Run/Walk will be on Saturday, August 8 from 8:30-10 a.m. with a flexible starting period. 

If wishing to run competitively, please meet Hauser Cross Country Coach, Ben Finke, by 8:20 a.m. at Registration Area. David Webster will be there very early and later if preferring another time that day. The Registration Area will be somewhat close to Simmons School and the track.

Registration Forms are at Special By Design, WILLow LeaVes, and Reflections, or you can contact David Webster at 812-390-6550. “Never Lose Hope” is the theme and is in honor of many including Todd Grimes, who initiated this wonderful event and who continues to battle pancreatic cancer. (Please read Todd's “Time” article.)

We are hoping to surpass records established last year with the Hauser Volleyball Team and Cross Country Team being keys, and they will be participating again! At this point, we have 70 runners/walkers while hoping for 100. You can still register ahead or on the day of the event but need to get your shirt order in by Tuesday, August 4 if wanting one that day. 

The event is of utmost importance to our $22,000 budget and in maintaining a local media source in the Hope Community, and we are pleased to return 15% of the proceeds to the Hauser Cross Country and Track Program.

We would like to extend a special thanks to our wonderful sponsors who have helped us reach an all-time sponsorship high for the event: Michael Brock for A-Z Home Improvements, Ken & Nancy Chandler, Michael & Tina Dean, Mike Deckard for Deckard Tool & Engineering, Bradley Dickens for Hauser Class of 1993 Alumni Association, Brad & Cindy Hamilton for Hamilton Accounting, Ashley Loyd & Suzie Norman for Norman Funeral Home, Scott & Anita Mings for Raymond James, Aaron & MarLen Slagel (Lafayette), Jackie & Dan Tallent for Gold Nugget Pawn Shop, Sarah Ward for WindRose Health Network, David & Lisa Webster. Our sponsors are greatly appreciated, and it is not too late to be one.

Participants wearing their yellow wristband will receive a discount the day of the event from the following local businesses: D's Variety Store (10% Off), Duck Creek Gardens (10% Off), Gold Nugget Pawn Shop (20% Off All Silver Jewelry), Major's True Value (10% Off), Special By Design (10% Off), Swiss Maid (10% Off), Tonala Mexican Restaurant (10% Off), and WILLow LeaVes (10% Off Ice Cream & Merchandise From 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.). We really appreciate local businesses working with us to make this event even more special.

The 5K-ish Course is one lap around the track and the outside perimeter of the Flat Rock-Hawcreek Campus and then another lap. It can be a leisure walk or a timed run; it can be the entire course or part of it; it can be the designed route or a different one. The Hope Police Department will block off Schaefer Drive to help assure safety of walkers or runners choosing the asphalt surface over grass, and the “HSJ” Team will be at several school intersections to help assure safety and provide direction. The Child Course is several times around the inside perimeter while staying on the asphalt. Strollers, scooters, tricycles, or bicycles might be the preference of younger children participating over walking.

Several bathrooms will be available.

Water and energy bars will be provided as well as trash cans by Heritage of Hope. Rob Critney, local Hope songwriter/performer, will accompany Sally Webster on a variety of songs, including songs for kids. It is likely just a matter of requesting your favorite.

If by chance it is raining, JB Royer, Facility and Transportation Director of FRHC, will have the Hauser Fieldhouse available where 24 laps become the 5K-ish Course and the Child's Course will be on the interior of the track.

We are looking forward to this event on Saturday, August 8, selling Duck Creek mums again starting in August, and the “HSJ” Benefit at WILLow LeaVes on Saturday, November 7. 

Michael Dean, Jessica Deckard, Pastor Warren Kirk, Scott Strietelmeier, Jennifer Villiger, David Webster, Terri Young, Howard Zachariah, Bud Herron (Emeritus), Jenn Guthrie (Content Coordinator), Stephanie Shoaf (Business Coordinator), as well as Todd Grimes.