More than sixty people came out to the Dusty Glassman Ballpark for Hays Recreation Center\u2019s Free Spirit Run on Saturday, Sept. 13. <\/p>\n
The Free Spirit Run featured a 5K and 10K division. A \u201cFree Spirit\u201d division was also available for those who wanted to contribute and set their own race distance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rec is so pleased to help with this race,\u201d said Dave Quillin, Hays Recreation wellness director. \u201cIt\u2019s an awesome experience and it brings the community together and it\u2019s for a great cause.\u201d<\/p>\n
The center\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is one of our bigger runs,\u201d Quillin said. \u201cThe rec is so pleased to help with this race it\u2019s an awesome experience and it brings the community together and it\u2019s for a great cause in remembrance of Jordyn Claiborn.\u201d<\/p>\n
The run was dedicated to Jordyn Claiborn, a Hays High School Student who was killed in a car accident in 2009. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe came up with this idea on the second anniversary of her death to raise money and to start a few scholarships in her name,\u201d said Rick Claiborn, Jordyn\u2019s father. \u201cThis is a way to raise money for the one at Hays High.<\/p>\n
For Claiborn, it has meant a lot to have the community\u2019s support since his daughter\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I have seen since the day my daughter died, I have been in awe of the type of kid she was,\u201d Claiborn said. \u201cWe have the memorial stickers on the back of our cars that don\u2019t 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\u2019t have a worry in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSince the time she was five years old Jordyn Claiborn was a part in ministry,\u201d said Kyle Ermoian, senior pastor at Celebration Community Church. \u201cShe was a part of our children\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Claiborne family have been active members of Celebration Community Church.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn honor of her at her passing we named that kitchen the Jordy C. Room,\u201d Ermoian said, \u201cand 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\u2019s lives and even at passing at sixteen she made a significant difference in the lives of those around her.\u201d<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis year, I am going to walk with my son, Corbin who has Autism,\u201d Claiborn said. \u201cThis 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.\u201d <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n