Children embark on the Kids’ Run portion of the 2016 Run for Hope Saturday morning at Bonita Lakes Park in Meridian.

The 2016 Run for Hope 10K, 5K and Walk attracted more than 370 participants of an assortment of ages to idyllic Bonita Lakes Park early Saturday morning, as the annual event served to raise awareness and funds for the Hope Village for Children.

With children as the benefactor of the proceeds collected from the 16th iteration, it was only appropriate that 13-year-old Aidan Barr grabbed top-finisher honors in the race’s 5K event.

“I’m glad that I won, and it feels better when people push me on because I know that they’re rooting for me, and it boosts my confidence,” said Barr, and eighth-grader and member of Southeast Lauderdale’s cross-country team. “I’m glad that I won it.”

Barr also said he took delight in that he was part of an event that contributed to a greater cause.

“The kids need the money, and they don’t have parents like I do or most of these people out here,” he said. “They need stuff like this.”

According to race director and founder Kim Monsour, Saturday’s turnout was the race’s biggest since its inception in 1999. Monsour said a number of factors contributed this year’s robust numbers. 

“Sponsors, runners, volunteers, family members support this cause — it’s near and dear to their hearts and it’s been around long enough that it could and should be,” she said. “I say that it’s kind of like my baby. You know, after 16, 17 years, your kids are graduating. I hope this is going to be around forever. To date, we’ve raised $2.5 million dollars. This year was the highest — we raised $40,000 dollars this year.”

Current Meridian Community College men’s and women’s tennis coach Wanda McPhail stood near the finish line and snapped pictures of runners as they trotted across. Although McPhail did not run, she brought eight of her players with her to volunteer.

“We played yesterday — they had a 12-hour day and were up this morning,” McPhail said. “This is just great. We love to do community service, and I just think it’s awesome. I remember when Hope Village was the Masonic home. My dad was a Mason, so it’s always had a special place with me when they took over and continued it as Hope Village. I’m just excited that we had a chance to come out and help with this.” 

Local running groups, casual runners and school-affiliated teams joined together at Bonita Lakes Park ahead of the event’s 8 a.m. start. Lamar School sixth grader Katelynn Smith is a member of the Raiders’ cross-country team and was among the many youngsters who participated. 

“It makes me feel really happy that I can help out, and it’s just really fun to help people,” Smith said. “At first, the course was kind of confusing, so I just followed people and ran back. Since we have to run two miles a day (for cross-country), I think it helped me run one mile a lot easier.”

After participating in last year’s Run for Hope, Collinsville resident Sarah Burns said she knew she’d do the same in 2016. Burns joined the many walkers who traversed the course. 

“I think both turnouts were great as far as support; I think there were more people this year than there were last year,” Burns, 22, said. “Awareness is definitely being raised as far as getting out and exercising, but also because we’re doing this for a cause. We’re not just doing it to do it.”

Hope Village Guild president Donna Hand said she’s thankful for the hundreds who helped make this year’s race the most successful to date. 

“This is our primary fundraiser for the Guild that raises money for the children at Hope Village,” Hand said. “It helps with birthday parties and their trips. A lot of the children actually participate in sporting events, and we help with their gear, shoes and that type of stuff, and also summer programs and extra tutoring.”