14th annual Nasi Memorial Run promotes healthy activities

HURLEY - The 14th annual Brian Nasi Memorial Heart run/walk took place on Saturday at the Hurley K-12 school.

Ginger Nasi, widow of Brian, founded the event to create awareness of heart disease and promote healthy habits.

"We're starting with the youth in the community and make it a healthy habit to always get out there and exercise and do the best you can," she said.

Nasi said the event has always been more of a "family running event" to encourage creating a healthy lifestyle early on in life.

"I can't believe it's the 14th annual," she said. "It's crazy that it's been that long."

The Hurley Area Lioness took over organization of the event in 2015 when Nasi moved away from the area.

Ricky Kelly, event organizer, said the proceeds from the event go to the community.

"We (the Lioness) support a lot of wellness projects, we support DOVE and we support a lot of family type stuff," she said.

Hanna Leoni, from Hurley, participated to support the Nasi family and said she is happy to see her friends at the event too.

The 14-year-old said she prepared for the 5k race by "running every weekend."

"There are some really good runners (competing)," she said.

Gena Vetter crossed the finish line of the 5k event in just under 25 minutes and secured first place in the female division.

Vetter said she had been training "almost every day for the last three or four weeks" to get ready.

"I'm really competitive," she said.

Clinching the top spot in the men's 5k was Germain Rojas from Chicago. In the area to compete at the Red Bull 400 later in the day, Rojas said he just found out about the Nasi at his hotel.

"I saw the flyer for this race," he said.

With a 3 o'clock heat time at Copper Peak, Rojas said he "might-as-well do something."

On Sunday, Rojas told the Daily Globe he finished the Red Bull 400 in 9 minutes and did not qualify for the finals.

Rojas admits "maybe" he shouldn't have done the 5k, but said "it was a fun day anyway."

With around 100 people signing up for the Nasi, Kelly said she is happy to see all the smiling faces.

"The weather's perfect and it's all for a good cause," she said. "It's a happy day."

Brynn McKone, 8, dressed as a clown and ready to run, won a $100 for the best costume.

Top finishes included:

Male

5k run - 1. Germain Rojas 20:55; 2. Josh Lehrkamp, 3. George Nelson.

1 mile run - 1. Kevin Rowe 10:51.

5k walk - 1st Saxton Bertz 52:26, 2. Eric Anderson, 3. Karl Betz.

1 mile walk - 1st Barney Hinch Jr., 19:13, 2. Bob Barto, 3. Bruce Johanson.

1 mile run - (12 and under) - 1. Bodyn Gilbertson 9:35, 2. Will Lehrkamp, 3. Bryce Lehrkamp.

Female

5k run - 1. Gena Vetter 24:57; 2. Amanda Corullo, 3. Joana Aukee.

1 mile run - 1. Bri Lehrkamp 12:08.

5k walk - 1. Vicki Seargant 46:14, 2. Linda Johanson, 3. Sara McKone.

1 mile walk - 1. Sandra Anderson 16:19, 2. Dana Aukee, 3. Vicki Tilton.

1 mile run (12 and under) - 1. Saylor Gilberson 9:37, 2. Brynn McKone.

1 mile walk (12 and under) - 1. Summer Wallis, 12:25.