Local Organization Celebrates Five Years of Community Fun Run

The Deer Park Chamber of Commerce is hosting their fifth annual Sunflower 5K on Saturday, May 30, at 11 a.m. Organizer Angie Jones reflected on the race’s history, sharing that it began with personal loss and has been a funding source for Deer Park’s community. Jones said the chamber was trying to think of new activities and events that could raise funds in 2021. “I had a nephew who died of cancer, and [our family] would do a 5K (race) to raise funds for him. So, I said, ‘Well, why don't we do a 5K?’ And I was told that they didn't make that much money.” Jones asked if she could try organizing a local 5K race herself and got the go-ahead. “The first year, there were 40 participants. In the second year, there were maybe 80, and in the third year, there were 120. So it just keeps get- ting a little bit bigger,” she said. “So this is our fifth year, and I think it's something that a lot of people look forward to. And we're still getting new people every year. It's pretty fun.” Jones said all of the proceeds go back into community events. “[The proceeds] are used for the Hometown Christmas so the kids don't have to pay for anything,” she said, elaborating that, in the past, the funds have been used to buy cookies from Yoke’s for children to decorate. “We just raise money to put toward those sorts of things for the community.” Jones said the biggest hurdle of organizing the race is making sure that there are enough people to make it fun. “I don't mean volunteers, I mean runners. Just getting people all signed up for it has always seemed to be a stressor.” She added that the week leading up to the event usually turns out more registrations. Speaking to the high- lights of organizing the run, Jones said, “I like getting ready for it. I like planning for it. I like talking to people, and all the businesses when I hand out the flyers. I like the energy, like the peo- ple are showing up and they're ready.” Last year, Jones said three women showed up in tutus and fairy wings. “It's just a good time to see what people are gonna wear,” she said. Jones also shared another memory of a runner last year who ran the 5K route as a warm-up prior to the ac- tual race. “Those people are amazing to me,” she said. According to Jones, the race will begin in the alley behind Masters Brewhouse, at 831 S. Main St. Suite M in Deer Park, and makes a square through the city. “It's pretty easy and relatively flat,” she said of the route. Jones added that some businesses along the route will be open and passing out water to the runners. “We've also got the (Deer Park High School) volleyball girls cheering people on. It's gonna be a good time,” she said. Scott’s Family Tree Nursery has also donated flowers to beau- tify the race’s starting point, Jones said. Looking to the future, Jones said they might branch out and organize more 5K races in the community, but for now, they are sticking with Sunflower 5K in May. “I'm just grateful that the whole community has decided that they're going to do this (race) year after year after year,” she said. “This is one of my favorite events all year long.” For more information on the Sunflower 5K, contact the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce at 509-276-8827, or visit their Facebook page.