Color run honors SMCC grad

Editor's note: Sandusky resident Kelly Ebert, the mother of the late Abigail Bastien — a 2016 St. Mary Central Catholic High School graduate — is helping organize the All for Abs Color Run, which takes place Saturday in Sandusky. SANDUSKY — Are you ready for a color run? I wanted to try something new and different this year. In the past, we had a morning 5K run/walk as well as a glow run. This year, we will be hosting our first color run. We will have color stations set up throughout the race where runners can choose to be sprayed with color powder as they run past. Registrants will also receive a T-shirt and color powder packets. The deadline for being guaranteed a T-shirt has expired, but online registration is still open through 5 p.m. Thursday. The link to sign up is runsignup.com/race/oh/sandusky/allforabs5k. Anyone interested can also sign up in person on the morning of the race. The All for Abs Color Run is at 9 a.m. on Saturday with check-in and registration starting at 8 a.m. The race takes place at the Paper District Marina, 611 W. Shoreline Drive, in downtown Sandusky. Anyone who participates in this race will be supporting a great cause. All proceeds raised through this event will be placed in the Abigail Bastien Memorial Scholarship Fund. I would like to recognize the Sandusky Central Catholic School Foundation for managing the funds for the scholarships that are given to local school students each year. The foundation has done a great job guiding us through the proper channels to ensure the funds are accounted for. People can also donate to the fund by visiting sanduskycc.org/support_sccs/sccs_education_foundation. I would also like to thank Jen Ott, Jason Werling and Kelly Schiewe. They are the backbone of the All for Abs 5K and always manage to bring it all together for us. We also have a race committee. Gia Lynch, Sherrie Ebert, Sukie Finneran and Beth Killian who reach out to local businesses for donations. It is because of the generous sponsors and donors that we are able to fund the Abigail Bastien Memorial Scholarship. On July 13, 2017, Abigail unexpectedly passed away after a tragic accident. I wanted to do something to carry on Abby's name and keep her memory alive in our community. I decided to start a scholarship fund in her memory. Considering Abby's love for running, I thought what better way to honor her than by having an annual 5K. The outpouring of kindness, generosity and support from our entire community is something my family, and I will forever be grateful for. Each year, we average around 150 participants and look forward to that number growing in the years to come.