2012 Heart Run Sets Record for Fundraising

Over 5,000 people participated

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By Megan Edge

Story Created: Apr 28, 2012 at 1:57 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Apr 30, 2012 at 12:45 PM AKDT

ANCHORAGE – An elderly man and his wife stood in matching blue windbreakers early Saturday morning. She laid her head on his chest and he gently wrapped his arms around her waist.

“I don’t think I can do this,” the lady said in a frail voice, but without hesitation the man smiled and assured her that she could complete the 2012 5K Heart Run.

Announcer Dave Stroh kept the crowd going as the timed racers lined up at the start line. The crowd of 5,000-plus sang along and cheered as a East High School student belted out the National Anthem and a notable local runner made a surprise guest appearance.

UAA former cross country and track star Marko Cheseto gave the crowd a few words of wisdom, introduced his father who also ran the race and with the shot of a gun started the most profitable Heart Run race in history.

The event, which supports the American Heart Association, raised over $200,000. Heart disease is the nation’s number one killer and takes more than 865,000 lives a year, according to the American Heart Association.

Parents with strollers buzzed by, friends walked side by side and soccer teams ran by laughing until they crossed the finish line to wrap up another year at the Heart Run.

For 2012 Heart Run pictures click on the thumbnails at left.

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