Goodrich-Eight hundred and ten people hit the pavement for one reason last Saturday.
They wanted to remember Kayla O’Mara.
The Kayla O’Mara Memorial Road Race took place on Aug. 4. The 5K course began on Gale Road, in front of Goodrich High School, stretched down Gale Road and doubled back to end on the GHS track.
The 16-year-old Goodrich High School junior, Kayla, was killed in a car accident on the evening of Jan. 24, 2006. The crash also injured her twin sister Kaitlin and friend, Danielle Bila. Kayla’s legacy, however, lives on, not only in the hearts and minds of those who loved her, but also through a scholarship fund and memorial road race in her name.
Kayla’s family, along with local volunteers, may not have sweat on the course last Saturday, but they were working hard, just the same.
‘We have three goals today: to raise money for the scholarship, to put on a good event, and to remember Kayla,? said Dennis O’Mara, Kayla’s father.
Ryan Neely, Dexter resident, was the first to cross the finish line at 15:42. Two seconds later, Goodrich’s Ben Richards finished in a sprint. Fenton’s Sue Larson was the first woman to cross the line at 17:11.
Runners and walkers continued to power through the finish for another hour. Samantha Minkler, a Goodrich native, ran the race with Kayla close to her heart.
‘Every day I run, I run with Kayla,? said Minkler. ‘Today was just another day to celebrate her life.?
Kayla was kept in mind throughout the day. Her face was printed on the race’s lime green T-shirts, etched into the medals given to the runners after the race, and her name was proudly displayed on a number of home-decorated running tops.
‘Honestly, I think Kayla might be a little embarrassed at this kind of attention,? said Dennis O’Mara, Kayla’s father. ‘But this race helps our family and the community remember her.?
The Kayla O’Mara Memorial Scholarship was given to 12 individuals from across the state during a ceremony after the race. More than $7,500 was awarded.
Neely, the race’s winner, was among the recipients. Awarded alongside him were Fenton’s Alex Ralston and Joe Dimambro, Linden’s Kayla LaDuke, and Goodrich’s Kelsey Meyers and Danielle Bila, who was injured in the same car accident that took Kayla’s life.
‘Through the race and the scholarship, we can sustain Kayla’s legacy,? said Dennis O’Mara. ‘And that’s what’s really important.?