Proceeds from run in Northwood go toward fireworks

Published 4:10 am Monday, July 7, 2014

Hannah Hunchis, left, runs Saturday during the Firecracker 5K Walk/Run with her father, John Hunchis, in Northwood. The duo ran the event together for the second straight year. — Micah Bader/Albert Lea Tribune

Hannah Hunchis, left, runs Saturday during the Firecracker 5K Walk/Run with her father, John Hunchis, in Northwood. The duo ran the event together for the second straight year. — Micah Bader/Albert Lea Tribune

NORTHWOOD — To light up the sky on the Fourth of July, athletes ran through the streets of Northwood on Saturday.

A non-profit organization called Total United Northwood Effort set up the Firecracker 5K Walk/Run, and raised $500 to be used in the purchase of fireworks for next year’s Independence Day celebration, said TUNE board member Mary Christianson.

The 3.1-mile event featured 25 participants who started and finished at the Northwood Theatre. After completing the run, competitors were given a T-shirt, banana and cookie.

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“People enjoy it,” said Tanna Moretz, a member of the TUNE board. “And being able to see who shows up to run is fun.”

Twice as many people registered last year, but cloudy skies may have deterred some prospective runners, Moretz said.

The weather didn’t sway father and daughter duo John and Hannah Hunchis of Northwood, who ran in the event for the second straight year.

Projects TUNE completed include restoring the Northwood Theatre and making welcome signs for the city.

“We just want to improve Northwood,” Christianson said.