By Katelyn Winkler
Special to the Review
Following the death of Timothy and Joshua Schrauger in 2007, their cross country and track and field teammates put together a memorial 5k, which has taken place annually ever since.
On Nov. 17 about 180 people went to Lake Orion High School and ran 3.2 miles, a little bit longer than a 5K, around the softball fields, a rope course, and practice football field to help raise money for a good cause.
?[The Schrauger death’s] was a really intense community connecting experience,? Carl Zoolkoski, the Oakview Cross Country Coach, said. ‘It was obviously a tragic event and the whole community was in shock but what happened as a result was people came together to support one another and for the Schrauger family that was really pretty special.?
The racers and the supporters raised money that went towards the ‘Love Inc.? Organization which provides families in the Orion, Oxford area which food and special help.
‘Love Inc. is a collaboration of all the churches in the area that coordinate outreach programs for families in need,? Zoolkoski said. ‘They can apply for food pantries, weekly free meals to different churches and their many initiatives.?
Not only was this memorial event a chance to raise money, but also a way to keep the memory of the Schrauger brothers alive.
‘I try and come back and do the run even though I am away at school (Saginaw Valley State University),? Jake Lauka said. ‘It is a good way to come out and appreciate their memory. We don’t want the memory of them to die.?
According to the winner of the race, Lauka, Joshua dreamed of running a race with multiple obstacles scattered throughout the course, which was exactly what Vicki and Cliff Schrauger set up.
‘On the bus ride home from his last race Josh talked about how awesome it would be to have a race where you had to jump over hay barrels and climb over stuff,? Lauka said. ‘We took little things from what they told us to make this race what it is today.?