Rachel Kittson-Maqatish
For The New Era
A total of 266 peopleregistered to participate in the third annual Hero Half Marathon, 8K and 1.3-mile mini marathon in Sweet Home May 23.
The races began at Community Chapel. White’s Electronics, one of the largest community supporters, paid for their employees to participate, and earned the title of Largest Team, with 62 registered runners.
White’s and many other local businesses, donated items for the runners goodie bags.
The Hero Half Marathon started in 2013 in honor of Cpl. Keaton Coffey, a Marine killed in Afghanistan Memorial Day weekend in 2012.
While Coffey grew up in Boring, he has relatives with local ties to Sweet Home. Coffey was his parent’s only child, and he was set to return home and marry his fiancé Brittney Dygart, shortly before he was killed.
As the idea of an event to memorialize Keaton and his sacrifice began to develop, the coordinators learned of Marci Sullens, a local Sweet Home resident who lost her brother, Lance CPL Dale Peterson in Iraq in 2007. Marci joined forces and helped coordinate the event.
This year six Gold Star Families and several Silver Star Families were in attendance.
Linn County Commissioner Will Tucker emceed the opening ceremonies.
Sgt. Joseph Mollis USMC, who served two tours in Iraq in 2005 and 2007 with the 2nd Marine Division, earning a Purple Heart, flew all the way from Texas the last two years for the Hero Half. Mollis served with LCPL Dale Peterson.
Mollis carried a large American Flag the entire length of the half marathon last year. This year he ran the 8k carrying the American Flag and a 22 pound vest.
After the National Anthem was sung by George and Cliff Dominy, Pastor Marty Mealue of the Community Chapel prayed over the event, the runners and the friends and families of the fallen. Linn County Will Tucker sent the runners off.
Coffey’s family helped plan and volunteer at the event. Men and women who served with Coffey come to the event from as far away as Chicago.
Damascus Christian School, where Keaton attended school, brought a bus load of students and family to participate in the event.
In 2013 the Hero Half event raised $9,541.83 and in 2014 the event raised $10,145.74. For the first two years the proceeds were shared between the CPL Keaton Coffey Memorial Scholarship, Wounded Warriors and Operation Home Front.
This year, the group decided to donate half of the proceeds to Coffey’s Memorial Scholarship, and the other half to the Vietnam Veterans of America, chapter 585. The Vietnam Veterans of America have volunteered at the event from the very beginning. Additionally, 100% of the monies donated to the VVA will directly benefit local veterans.
Hero Half Marathon
Sweet Home/Lebanon Finishers
(3) Ricky Yunke (SH), 1:35.48; (5) Eric Seitz (SH) 1:39.35; (6) Joe Rosa (SH) 1:40.11; (9) Erika Stevenson (L) 1:43.47; (11) Sean Woodring (L) 1:50.10; (15) Randy Carpenter (SH) 1:59.27; (16) Kyle Tucker (L) 2:03.06; (17) Brenda Legree (L) 2:05.30; (18) Rob Hess (L) 2:06.3; (20) Derrick Sorweide (L) 2:11.11; (30) Lynsee Zeller (L) 3:20.02.
8K Finshers from
Sweet Home/Lebanon
(1) Luke Rauch (L) 31:07; (2) Robbie Yunke (SH) 32:16; (5) Shawna Yunke (SH) 34:16; (7) Elaine Rauch (L) 35:34; (8) Lacey Seidl (SH) 35:40; (10) Zane Wise (SH) 37:20; (13) Darrell Wickline (L) 38:07; (16) Allison Wickline (L) 39:22; (17) Melissa Klumpf (SH) 39:46; (22) Ashley Wickline (L) 40:43; (26) Adam Stoll (L) 42:06; (27) Kristin Stoll (L) 42:11; (35) Krystina Tack (SH) 43:11; (43) Taylor Moore (SH) 46:08; (46) Gabriel Grajiola (SH) 47:04; (47) Bryce Porter (SH) 46:33; (49) Pat Gray (L) 47:40; (50) David Nichols (SH) 48:03; (77) Stephanie Eonta (L) 56:38; (78) Lena Polejaeva (L) 56:38; (88) Megan Wolfe (L) 1:08.24; (89) Breanna Connett (L) 1:08.24; (92) Kathy Tuchardt (L) 1:10:41; (97) Denise Cummins (L) 1:12:55; (102) Terry Thompson (L) 1:!5.56.