On Sunday, April 10, the annual Run 4 Biegel event took place for its fifth consecutive year. After a fully virtual event last year, the run was held in person this year at Pine Trails Park; virtual participation remained an option. Run 4 Biegel started at 8 a.m. and ended at 9:15 a.m., members of the community were invited to participate to remember Scott Beigel.

All money raised during the run was donated to the Scott J. Beigel Memorial Fund, which funds camper scholarships to help send at-risk children impacted by gun violence to summer sleep-away camp.

Beigel was one of the 17 victims lost in the school shooting at MSD on Feb. 14, 2018. Beigel was a geography teacher and cross-country coach who impacted and saved many lives, as he risked his life by opening the door of his classroom for students who were outside when the shooter was present. To honor his life, the MSD cross-country team came together to organize the first Run 4 Beigel on Feb. 21, 2018, six days after his passing.

“Scott was one of my friends, so this run has a very special place in my heart,” cross-country coach and geography teacher Robyn Mickow said.

Participants were given three choices to participate in the Sunday run: a one-mile fun run, a 5K run/walk or a 10K run. All of these options were available both in person and online.

Individuals who signed up for the run received a complimentary Run 4 Beigel t-shirt. Gift cards and trophies were awarded to those who placed first, second and third overall as well as runners who placed in the top within their respective age categories.

Several MSD staff members and students attended Run 4 Beigel, with some participating and others volunteering. As they have done every year since the run’s initial introduction, the MSD cross-country team attended to run in honor of Beigel.

“It is always nice to see all the children that participate in both the cross country and track team, and other students that come out from MSD,” Mickow said.

Many student volunteers from MSD also attended to help with the run. National Honor Society offered the event as a service project for their members to receive club and service hours. NHS volunteers were able to help the run flow smoothly by helping with its set-up, registering runners, cheering on the participants, giving out water and helping to clean up.

“Volunteering at the run was truly amazing,” junior and NHS member Pearl Mass said. “It was amazing to see how strong our community is, how we come together to remember Beigel and others that were lost.”

Run 4 Beigel was created as an event for the community to encourage them to come together to remember Beigel as well as the other victims lost during the shooting. Four years after the first Run 4 Beigel, it has expanded into a nationwide opportunity for participants from all around the world to support the cause. Run 4 Beigel has spread all the way to Long Island, New York. Participants from all around the world can also take part in the run virtually.

MSD students and staff have come out every year to support Beigel and contribute to the Scott J. Beigel Memorial Fund. Run 4 Beigel will continue to take place every year, broadening its reach, with the goal of attracting more people to raise awareness for the lives lost and raising money for the Scott J. Beigel Memorial Fund.