The Sun Shines on Run for Mercy

March 27, 2018

This past Saturday morning, as the sun rose, over 530 people made their way to Maidu Park in Roseville, California to participate in the Run for Mercy 5K and Family Walk.

Individuals, families, and businesses checked-in, as over 60 volunteers and 15 sponsor booths set up for the annual event. The booths included: Destiny Community CenterSan Francisco Bay Gourmet Coffee, KLOVE, Kaia FitBlue Ribbon Personal ServicesWagner Plumbing, River City Chiropractic, Thrivent Financial and Chick-fil-A, among many others. The morning was hosted by Jeff & Randi who host weeknights on KLOVE national radio.

Dr. John Jackson, President of William Jessup University, led the crowd in a pre-race prayer. Runners and walkers alike were cheered on by volunteers. Children enjoyed a “Kid’s Corner,” which included a cupcake walk and face painting.

During the event, Jenna, a 2017 Mercy graduate, gave glory to God for the transformation and restoration in her life through the Mercy program. After a 19-year battle with an eating disorder and devastating 16-year battle with drugs, Jenna now is a supervisor at Teen Challenge helping young women just like herself find freedom just like she did.

Jenna also gave thanks to the supporters of Mercy: “I appreciate everything you have done for me and my Mercy sisters. I was not in the position to afford a place to better myself, and truthfully, without it being faith-based, I would never have gotten better. Your donations, in a sense, have saved my life. You have not only created an opportunity for me to experience Jesus and get my life back, you have also given my mom her daughter back.”

Awards were presented to the top overall runners, and the top male and female finishers in each age category. The top overall male runner was Yaroslav Bugayersiay with a time of 20:43. The top overall female runner was Laura Kaulen with a time of 17:57. A total of 32 people received medals. They also received $25 gift cards to Fleet Feet and a one-month membership to Destiny Fitness.

Top fundraisers were also honored. Angela Moretti flew in the day before the run from Washington State to be part of the event. She found out about Mercy through a Francesca Battistelli music video and wanted to be part of our mission. She raised over $1,600! One of our community board members, Des Nelson led his Thrivent Financial team that together raised over $1,600 as well!

“Looking back, I am kind of glad they called for rain the day of Run for Mercy,” said Kerri Naber, Mercy Community Relations and Development Manager. It kind of made the excitement build all week long as we would receive dozens of emails, Facebook posts, text messages and the like from wonderful Mercy supporters who were praying for our run and encouraging us. The Run for Mercy 5K & Family Walk is an amazing physical representation of the larger community cheering on our Mercy girls and their walk into freedom.”

“Immediately after the event, we saw the multiplying effect of our race shirts this year that stated, “Ask Me Why I Run”. One of our Community Board Members was leaving Maidu Park when a woman asked her, “So, why do you run?” Holly Andreatta (the board member) answered, “So that girls can walk in freedom!” Holly shared our mission with this woman and gave her our new magazine so that she could learn more. God always amazes us how He can multiply our efforts.”

Mercy Multiplied is grateful for the generous sponsors, volunteers, and participants who made the 2018 Sacramento Run for Mercy such a huge success!

If you were unable to participate in the Sacramento Run for Mercy but would still like to give to the cause, please click here.