Thousands take part in Sunburst Run to raise funds

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Beacon Health System's 42nd Sunburst race ran today and thousands participated.

This event gave participants the opportunity to run a 5K, 10k, or half marathon.

There was also a 5k fitness walk accompanied by a post-race party with food, music, and awards.

"Sunburst is a just a one weekend thing, a big thing. We kind of kick unofficially, kick off summer in Michiana again, about 5000 people, so we're only a one weekend a year kind of thing, but we bring a whole lot of people together for a really good cause," said Courtney Kipker, race director. "There's people everywhere, there's families, everyone is hanging out. We have a free like zone for kids, so there's face painting, balloon twisting. It's just a really good time for families and friends and the community to come together and support a good cause, but also be active, and just enjoying each other's company." 

The event raises funds for Beacon Children Hospital's child life specialists.

They work to provide comfort to children facing illnesses like cancer and for any who have to spend nights at the neonatal intensive care unit.

"Yeah, well, our child life specialist department, that's who we support, that is not a salary that is reimbursable for insurance, so Beacon has to cover that cost with no help. So, we raise money to pay the salaries of the child life specialists. These are individuals who help kids cope with things like cancer, temporary illness, babies in the NICU, you know, we sing to them all kinds of good things to just really help bring comfort to kids in their family," said Kipker