HAYWARD — At the sixth-annual April Sorensen Memorial Half Marathon on Saturday morning, runners fought the wind and rain to complete the race.

The 13.1-mile course began on the northwest corner of Albert Lea Lake, headed south, east and finally north on 810th Avenue to Hayward.

According to the event’s official website, Sorensen was murdered in her home in Rochester on April 17, 2007. She was 27 years old.

The idea behind the race is embedded in the event’s slogan: Live, laugh, love, run.

“She stood for good health and camaraderie,” Sorensen’s father, Jon Larson said. “She always wanted everyone to have a good time.”

Larson competed in the race and was met at the finish line by Sorensen’s husband, Josh Sorensen. Each participant received a medal for completing the race, and Josh gave his father-in-law a medal along with a big hug.

“We do the race to keep her memory alive,” Josh said. “It’s nice to get everyone together to celebrate her life.”

The event attracts competitors from Albert Lea, Minnesota, and other states.

Ali Wolpern of Gunnison, Colo., a former champion of the race, said she participated in the event for the third time.

“It’s a nice course with rolling hills,” she said. “It was better the other years because of the wind and the rain, but I still had fun.”

Wolpern, originally from Faribault, is a junior at Western State Colorado University where she is a member of the cross country and track and field teams.

The date of registration determines the cost per runner. It ranges from $40 to $60 per individual or $80 to $120 per team, depending on the date of registration.

The money goes into a fund that provides $500 scholarships to two graduating seniors from three area high schools: Albert Lea, Alden-Conger and Glenville-Emmons, Larson said.

Results were unavailable because of technical difficulties due to the downpour.