11th Annual IRIS Turkey Trot is a Monster Success

The weather was perfect for a run today and over 2,000 people participated in the 11th Annual IRIS Turkey Trot at the Faribault Middle School.  There were 1492 individuals registered to take part.

IRIS (Infant Remembered in Silence) Executive Director Diana Sundwall told KDHL/POWER 96 she felt, "Blessed."  I spoke with a number of the runners (including Townsquare's own Roy Koenig) and all said the weather conditions were ideal.  Much different than last year when the wind presented very cold conditions.

Sundwall told us the final amount of money raised in the biggest fundraiser for her organization won't be known for a few days but when I left the event to go deliver meals for the Faribault Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner they knew approximately $81,000 had been raised.  The goal is $100,000 and Sundwall was confident that mark would be met.

The top fundraising team was Gracie Lou's Crew of Faribault with $2,100 raised.

It is so incredible to see all generations of people participating.  Little ones are encouraged to participate by having a Tot Trot and Gobble Wobble.

There are 5K and 10K runs and a 5K walk so virtually anyone can participate.  You don't have to be a serious runner to join in and that has been the goal all along.  There are timed events for those who take the sport seriously and want to use it as a training tool.

Infants Remembered in Silence was started in 1987 by Sundwall after she delivered a stillborn baby boy in 1985 and found out there were no services for people going through the painful experience.

The 501(c)(3) organization assists all families seeking help while suffering from the loss of a young child.

I have to admit what hit me most emotionally were the people wearing shirts remembering their lost loved ones with the name of the child and "Remembering With Love" or "Never Forgotten" and other comments.

Sundwall promised to get me the final total information and we will share that with you.