Fort4Fitness draws about 9,000

Greg and Rose Hermes had a wedding to go to Saturday afternoon, but that does not stop, they always participate in the early hours - with about 9,000 others - in the 2012 edition of the Fort4Fitness. But it is not only because the couple in a healthy lifestyle. Chanel Evening Bags At each stage they were to be taken to make an effort to support peace-building end of the world in the DRC. It was a collection of the church for months, "said Hermes, 60, finished the 4-mile race as part of a quota Fellowship Missionary Church in Fort Wayne. "Probably a quarter of the church that," added Rose, 59, who walked the course. With its bright green T-shirts with a map of Africa and trimmed in the colors of the Congolese gold, was red and green, MX 500, as they were known informally Parkview Field Saturday, one of the groups more visible than the fitness rotating Saturday used in favor of a cause. But they were not alone, said Mark Wolf, director of marketing for running the race, including a 10-km, half marathon and 4-mile and the race for kids Friday night and ankles. Differential a marathon for the elderly New this year sponsored charitable groups graft their own efforts with fundraising events Fort4Fitness says Wolf. Seventeen groups, beginning Neighborlink Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne Pet Food Pantry signed the non-profit partners, he said. Groups of more than 1,100 participants means that about 1 in 10 people Saturday 8968 runners and walkers were registered advocacy. Traever Wieland, 36, Fort Wayne, ran the half marathon with a group of about 100 fundraiser for Youth for Christ. The Organization ministerial students on campus and manages the prime time youth center near South Side High School. Youth for Christ Director of Operations, said Wieland, that last year he had to reach their own fitness goals - he had lost 100 pounds and run several long runs. He expects a marathon in Indianapolis in three weeks. But what is "this extra boost" for one thing, he says run. "It was just nice to be here and a part of it." The group led by Carla Jennings Fort Wayne was not an official charity partner. But they said they were still something close to his heart - Combating obesity in the black community. Statistics show blacks are twice as likely as whites to be overweight, and nearly four out of five black women are overweight or obese. Thus, about 30 corporate clients Jennings, Fit4u! ran the four-mile race. The oldest was 67 years old, Janie Morton of Fort Wayne and the youngest, aged 9 Roseman Dillon, also in Fort Wayne. "We wanted to involve more minorities and help people to see what they do," Jennings said, adding the group trained for eight weeks in cooperation with Jorgensen and Renaissance Pointe YMCA, she said. Wolf said Fort4Fitness participation in this year's modest increase of 400 people - race counting for children on Friday night and the participants of the marathon for the elderly, registered 9809, compared to around 9,400 years ago. The event is limited to about 3,000 participants in the first year, growing the 2008th But the spectators lined the rest in order to promote runners and walkers as they take their last legs around the perimeter of the field players to marble finish, the total amount was likely more than 28,000, Wolf could said.Spectators their favorites on the big screen in the middle see how they entered the stadium. Most participants come from northwestern Indiana and Ohio, Mr. Wolf. But as the half-marathon championship is the official central region of the Road Runners Club of America, it has attracted over the Midwest, he said. Submissions came from 26 states and the District of Columbia and four other countries, according to Wolf. A participant from the Congo, said Mark Mays, 40, youth pastor at Fellowship. The church has been involved in the South African nation since 2006, and is in collaboration with international aid agency World Relief. Trading teams visited the country, and the Church has also contributed to the resettlement of refugees in Fort Wayne, he said. "This is an area devastated by the war is probably the worst in the world of sex and violence on tribal basis," says Mays. "You are dealing with generations of bitterness and resentment." Mays said Saturday effort raised over $ 30,000 for village committees to conflicts that solve minor disputes to prevent escalation. Over 540 people walked or ran purse, and served 130 more volunteers. A pastor came Congo Fort Wayne prayers before each race began. "We are making a statement," Mays said. "... There is hope"