Runners line the street at the start of the seventh annual Chelsi's Run 5K, St. George, Utah, July 15, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
ST. GEORGE – On Tuesday at 10 p.m., when most people were settling down for the evening, hundreds of dedicated runners and walkers lined the street of the St. James neighborhood to participate in the seventh annual Chelsi’s Run 5K – a race to honor the life of Chelsi Dawn Petersen, a St. George resident and runner who was killed in a car accident in 2008.
The run was established by friends of the Petersens who wanted to do something to help the family heal Chelsi Petersen’s mom, Lisa Petersen, said.
The 5K race is held every year on Chelsi Petersen’s birthday and not only honors her memory but also raises funds to provide scholarships to local students.
Chelsi Petersen was a heptathlete on the BYU track team and loved to run – This year’s race would have marked her 27th birthday.
The two-loop course started and ended at the St. James Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and though it was hot and sticky it didn’t deter the crowd of participants or the neighborhood from coming out to show their love and support.
“Chelsi is smiling tonight,” Lisa Petersen, said.
Participants received a t-shirt and a memorial wrist band that said “Never Give Up,” on one side and Chelsi’s name flanked by her birth year and the year she passed away on the other.
Loud music blared from many corners of the course, glow sticks adorned runners and the neighbors handed out otter pops in this special community event.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys tocycle through the gallery.
Runners and kids on bikes participate in the Chelsi's run 5K, St. George, Utah, July 15, 2014 | Photo by Brett Barrett
Runners gather together for a cause at the Chelsi's Run 5K, St. George, Utah, July 15, 2014 | Photo by Brett Barrett, St. George News
Runners toe the start line at the Chelsi's Run 5K, St. George, Utah, July 15, 2014 | Photo by Brett Barrett, St. George News
Maxton and Broxton Gieslinski and family hand out Otter Pops on the course of the Chelsi's Run 5K, St. George, Utah, July 15, 2014 | Photo by Brett Barrett, St. George News
Neighbors come out to cheer on and support runners in the Chelsi's Run 5K, St. George, Utah, July 15, 2014 | Photo by Brett Barrett, St. George News
Members of a High School track team participate in the Chelsi's Run 5k, St. George, Utah, July 15, 2014 | Photo by Brett Barrett, St. George News
The Myers triplets Jaiden, Kailee and Allyson run in the Chelsi's Run 5K, St. George, Utah, July 15, 2014 | Photo by Brett Barrett, St. George News
Members of the Petersen family's church ward assemble as a team to support the family at the Chelsi's Run 5K, St. George, Utah, July 15, 2014 | Photo by Brett Barrett, St. George News
Coach Dave Holt (Pine View), Bryan Lunt and Josh Decker race in the Chelsi's Run 5K, St. George, Utah, July 15, 2014 | Photo by Brett Barrett, St. George News
Hailey Larsen and Cara Romney, 4, of St. George participate in the seventh annual Chelsi's Run 5K, St. George, Utah, July 15, 2014 | photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Children on bikes ride with glow sticks in the Chelsi's Run memorial 5K, St. George, Utah, July 15, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Runners line the street at the start of the seventh annual Chelsi's Run 5K, St. George, Utah, July 15, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A banner marking the start line of the Chelsi's Run 5K is stretched across St. James Lane, St. George, Utah, July 15, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
L-R, Lisia Ahquin, Brandee Boyer, Sara Hancock and Jazmyn Draper pose for a photo at the start of the Chelsi's Run 5K, St. George, Utah, July 15, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Memorial wrist bands are worn by participants of the seventh annual Chelsi's Run 5K, St. George, Utah, July 15, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Lisa Petersen, left, Nancy Gubler, right, register participants for the Chelsi's Run 5K, St. George, Utah, July 15, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Resources
For more information about Chelsi’s Run and the scholarship fund click here