ST. GEORGE – The finish line of his 250-mile run was in sight. Justin Osmond raised his arms in triumph as he passed the crowd who had gathered at the Crosby Family Confluence Park, 2099 S. Convention Center Drive in St. George, Saturday. As he crossed the line, family members and friends crowded around him as he broke down in tears.
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Justin Osmond’s run had a purpose: to provide 25 children in the Washington County School District new and upgraded hearing aids, thanks to the financial backing of his sponsors, and the Olive Osmond Hearing Fund.
“Someone had put pictures of all the kids along the trail,” Osmond said, describing the last mile of his run. “Their name, their age – and that hit me, that hit me hard. So I started thinking about the kids, and of course, I had a meltdown.”
Justin Osmond’s wife Kristi said, “Every time he’d pass a picture of a kid, he’d run past and high-five it, that was really cool.”
Justin Osmond’s journey began May 2 in Ephraim. Six days of rain, snow, and one day of sun later he made it into St. George Saturday morning, the 11th anniversary of his grandmother Olive Osmond’s death.
“I had a life-changing moment as we were coming over the summit out of Panguitch,” Justin Osmond’s father, Merrill Osmond, said, “and, as he ran those 14 miles straight up that incline, I had to say to myself, ‘If that man can do it, I can do anything.’”
“I’m so proud of my nephew,” Marie Osmond, Justin Osmond’s aunt, said. “He’s a phenomenal kid that proves there is no such thing as a handicap.”
“I joined him just up the street about 2 1/2 miles,” St. George Mayor Jon Pike said, adding that Justin Osmond was the driving force behind the finish.
“Whose idea was this?” Justin Osmond said jokingly as he took the stage after cooling down.”Two hundred and fifty miles, 25 kids, mission accomplished!”
The crowd roared their approval.
“I’m amazed that someone is so unselfish, so dedicated, so committed to do something this good for all of our kids,” Washington County School District Superintendent Larry Bergeson said, “it is awesome.”
Washington County School District Foundation Director Pam Graf agreed.
“When Justin came and told us he wanted to run 250 miles for our students,” Graf said, “it touched my heart.”
“There were many times I didn’t think I was going to make it,” Justin Osmond said of his run. “But I kept thinking of the kids, and they kept me going.”
As runners gathered for a 5K run before Justin Osmond’s arrival, rain was still falling. The rain stopped minutes before the run began.
The motto of the day was “Super Hear-O’s” and children of all ages were in superhero costumes. Superman, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, and Wonder Woman were a few of the costumes seen during the event.
Justin Osmond was diagnosed at age 2 with a 90 percent hearing loss in both ears. After many years of therapy and utilizing modern hearing aid technology, he is able to hear and speak with conviction about his passion. Justin Osmond is the CEO of the Olive Osmond Hearing Fund, which he founded in 2010.
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L-R Merrill Osmond, Justin Osmond, Mary Osmond. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George NewsFinish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Osmond family members with the challenge banner. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
“Someone had put pictures of all the kids along the trail,” Justin Osmond said, describing the last mile of his 250-mile run. “Their name, their age – and that hit me, that hit me hard." Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Justin Osmond. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Justin Osmond hugs kids.Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
"…I kept thinking of the kids, and they kept me going," Justin Osmond said. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
F-B: Kristi Osmond, Justin Osmond, wife and husband. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Super Hear-O! Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Justin Osmond's parents Merrill Osmond (F) and Mary Osmond (R) embrace him after the run.Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Justin Osmond. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
L-R: Woman representing sponsor Oticon Pediatrics that supplies the hearing aids and a radio system in the schools so the kids can hear their teachers better; Justin Osmond. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Superheroes, super-Hear-O's, kids. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Justin Osmond gives, or gets? a hug from the local event organizer. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Solstad "Superman" family. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
L-R: Justin Osmond with Pam Graf, director of Washington County School District Foundation. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
L-R: Justin Osmond with aunt, and celebrity, Marie Osmond, location and date unspecifiedFinish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Super Hear-O. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
L-R: Merrill Osmond, Justin Osmond, Kristi Osmond, Mary Osmond. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Superheroes, super-Hear-O's, kids. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Justin Osmond, on right, with Super Hear-O The Hulk. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Center two from L-R: Pam Graf, director of Washington County School District Foundation, with Marie Osmond. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
The start of the 5K Run. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Wonder Woman. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Kids run medal recipient. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
L-R: Charlotte Bolke, 16 months old, with mom Stacey Bolke. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Children during the Kids Run. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
A 5K finisher is awarded a medal. Finish line welcome for Justin Osmond's 250-mile run from Ephraim to St. George to benefit 25 hearing-impaired children in Washington County School District, and 'Super Hear-O 5K Fun Run,' Crosby Family Confluence Park, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2015 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
"I wrote my first word when I was very young. I enjoyed this so much I decided to write many more words."
A native of Pacific Palisades, Calif., Ric was bitten by the news bug as a staff writer and associate editor of the Palisades High School Tideline. After school he entered the media as a radio personality, both playing music and reporting news. Ric moved to St. George in the 1980s and was the morning personality on all three major AM stations in town. An avid amateur radio operator, Ric is looking for a good band to play in, as he plays keyboards, bass and guitar. Ric, who currently is working on developing a lifestyle that doesn't require his presence, lives in the center of St. George with his partner Terri, two snoring dogs and too many neurotic cats.