Off and running at Mercer Trade Inc. Mother’s Day 5K

By Andy Nystrom • May 12, 2024 11:30 am

As the sun shone down upon the Luther Burbank Park meadow, a plethora of runners and walkers gathered to participate in the inaugural Mercer Trade Inc. Mother’s Day 5K on May 11.

The all-ages, one-heat event — which featured a course that stretched throughout the park with Lake Washington in the background on one straightaway — commenced at 2:15 p.m. and is one of the Mercer Island High School (MIHS) student-run business’s yearly projects through the International Entrepreneurship class. About 200 people signed up and there were 150 finishers listed on its website.

MIHS 2023 graduate Ben Kolpa won the race in 17:32 and noted afterward: “It was good. There was more hills than I thought — I had never seen the course. It was fun.”

Islander Cooper Jensen challenged Kolpa down the final stretch and took second in 17:34.

Some of the funds raised from entry fees will go toward general race costs and T-shirts for all runners/walkers and the rest of the proceeds go to their partners at the Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Foundation, MIHS ASB and The First Night Project, which funds comfort kits for distribution to various hospitals treating cancer teens. The amount raised was not available at press time.

For complete results, visit: https://tinyurl.com/2etjudwc