A sea of pink flooded Moss-Wright Park on the morning of Janie Grace Moss’ nineteenth birthday. The Be the Light 5k and 1 mile run was held on the morning of August 23 to celebrate the life of the oldest Moss daughter. With 1,163 runners in attendance, this event showcased the impact that Janie Grace Moss made in her lifetime.
“The only thought going through my mind during the race was ‘I have to give absolutely everything I’ve got for her. I cannot slow down no matter what,” Brody Hitchcock, male 5k winner said. “I basically just wanted to make her proud.”
In the first year, all proceeds from the Be the Light 5k will go directly to the Live Love Like Janie Grace Scholarship Fund which provides financial assistance to students who live their lives with the same outstanding qualities as Janie Grace Moss. These academic scholarships are exclusive to Goodpasture Christian School seniors. In future years the proceeds will be extended to help charities like Grace Place and The City of Children, in Ensenada, as well.
While most people in attendance would not consider themselves seasoned runners, there was still the option to race competitively, like Janie Grace did many times before. The 5k race male winner went to Hitchcock with a time of 19 minutes and 38 seconds. Corey Willmore and Camden Angell won the second and third place title for the male division. Michele Denmon took home the female category prize with the time 22 minutes and 22 seconds. After Denmon, second place went to Caroline Conway, and third to Makenzie Barnett.
“I think just after finishing the race watching all the people come through the finish line was really special because there were like 1000 people and it was such a happy moment,” Hitchcock said.
Along the second mile loop was a bench with a brass plaque dedicated to Janie Grace, decorated with an arrangement of pink and green flowers.
“It was so sweet to see how big the event was and how many people wanted to get involved and volunteer,” senior Faith Ivy said. “It was a bittersweet feeling because no one should have to have a birthday party that the birthday girl can’t physically go to,” Ivy said.
