A total of 114 runners participated in the first annual Shin Splints for Bryce 5K run on Saturday in Rindge.
The 5K was organized by family members of Bryce Olson of Rindge, who died in July of an opioid overdose. Olson was training to run a 10K with his sister when he died.
“Almost a year ago I promised Bryce I would run a race with him. Today, I ran for him,” his sister, Rochelle Blanton, posted on social media on race day, from her home state of Washington, where she ran her own 5K. “I wish he could see the 114 people that registered to run. I wish he knew about the $10,000 raised in his memory. I wish he knew that we won’t let his death mean nothing. We will continue to fight to spare even one person the pain.”
Joy Connell of Rhode Island took first place with a time of 20 minutes and 20 seconds. Following her in second was Kevin McCusker with a time of 20 minutes, 47 seconds. Third place was Andrew Berard with a time of 21 minutes and 31 seconds.
The race raised about $10,000, which will be donated to the House of Hope in Keene, which provides long-term treatment for women and mothers dealing with addiction.