More than sixty people came out to the Dusty Glassman Ballpark for Hays Recreation Center’s Free Spirit Run on Saturday, Sept. 13.
The Free Spirit Run featured a 5K and 10K division. A “Free Spirit” division was also available for those who wanted to contribute and set their own race distance.
“The rec is so pleased to help with this race,” said Dave Quillin, Hays Recreation wellness director. “It’s an awesome experience and it brings the community together and it’s for a great cause.”
The center’s mission is to provide diversified leisure activities and high quality facilities and programs while being proactive in providing recreational and educational opportunities that enhance the quality of life in the community.
“This is one of our bigger runs,” Quillin said. “The rec is so pleased to help with this race it’s an awesome experience and it brings the community together and it’s for a great cause in remembrance of Jordyn Claiborn.”
The run was dedicated to Jordyn Claiborn, a Hays High School Student who was killed in a car accident in 2009.
“We came up with this idea on the second anniversary of her death to raise money and to start a few scholarships in her name,” said Rick Claiborn, Jordyn’s father. “This is a way to raise money for the one at Hays High.
For Claiborn, it has meant a lot to have the community’s support since his daughter’s death.
“What I have seen since the day my daughter died, I have been in awe of the type of kid she was,” Claiborn said. “We have the memorial stickers on the back of our cars that don’t say she lived this day and died this day. It says Jordyn Claiborn lived — in big letters — because while she was here she did. We call it the free spirit for a reason. That is what she was. She was such a joy to be around and pretty much didn’t have a worry in the world.”
“Since the time she was five years old Jordyn Claiborn was a part in ministry,” said Kyle Ermoian, senior pastor at Celebration Community Church. “She was a part of our children’s ministry, she was in our middle school ministry, and she was in our high school ministry. And even when she was in our high school ministry, her ministry was serving our middle school kids.”
The Claiborne family have been active members of Celebration Community Church.
“In honor of her at her passing we named that kitchen the Jordy C. Room,” Ermoian said, “and we have it decorated in zebra strips which were her trademark as well as pictures of her and the significant people in her life and so she was a giver, she was a free spirited person. She lived life to the fullest and she touched people’s lives and even at passing at sixteen she made a significant difference in the lives of those around her.”
Runners started at the ball park located at 4th and Milner, traveled in a loop between Riley and Elm streets — a total of 3.21 miles.
“This year, I am going to walk with my son, Corbin who has Autism,” Claiborn said. “This is the second time we have had him here. Last year he walked with me for the first time. This year he will be walking with my wife, Mary, and me. Our daughter, Ali, will be running.”
Proceeds from the run were donated to the Free Spirit Award. This scholarship is awarded each year to a Hays High senior who has been active in dance as well as the community.