The Bellevue Run Weekend broke all records with this year’s event.  The event saw an increase of over 100% in participants, which helped to raise $110,000 for the charities supported by Bellevue Breakfast Rotary’s Bellevue Run Weekend.

The Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club (BBRC) announced that the Overlake Hospital 10K Run, The Y Family 5K Run/Walk, and Seattle Children’s Kids’ Dash was a resounding success in terms of participants, volunteers and money raised.  A total of 2200 runners and walkers participated in the event, which dwarfed the number of participants from last year’s event by a staggering 100%.  The event also generated $110,000 in funds from the participants, sponsors and individual donations.  These funds will go to supporting Seattle’s Children’s Autism Center, Kindering, Bellevue City Program Scholarship Fund, Bellevue City Family Camp Out and other Eastside local charities.

BBRC’s Bellevue Run Weekend was well organized with over 160 volunteers, police and city workers making sure all aspects of the event were nailed down to ensure participants had a smooth experience.  Many of the participants were complimentary of the well managed operations that covered the smallest of details from registration to getting around the course safely.  The City of Bellevue Mayor, Don Davidson, took the opportunity to read out the Bellevue Run Weekend Declaration prior to the start and handed copies of this declaration to the key principals from the event’s supported charities.

The 10K started with the Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder drum band lending their support by drumming up a hefty beat of rhythms to get the our runners and walkers motivated for the 10K and 5K courses starting and finishing at Bellevue’s Downtown Park.  All the runners were seen off by Seattle Seahawks Sea Gals from the starting line.

With $110,000 already raised toward supporting Seattle’s Children’s Autism Center, Kindering, Bellevue City Program Scholarship Fund, Bellevue City Family Camp Out and other BBRC charities and the high level of participation, Katherine De Stephano, who headed up the organization of the Bellevue Run Weekend, said: “We had great weather, supportive sponsors and recognition from the City’s Mayor for this locally grown event.  However, this is only part of the story, as it was down to our participants, who helped to make this a truly fantastic day by having fun and supporting the worthy causes involved with our 10K and 5K.”

The involvement from our sponsors was one of the corner-stones of the events success and, we were pleased, the following companies provided support:  Overlake Hospital, Starbucks, The YMCA, Brooks Running, The Microsoft Store, the City of Bellevue, Lingenbrink, Slalom Consulting, Escape Outdoors, Eagle Beverage Company, and many others.  We also had incredible support from the many booth sponsors on the day and we are grateful for their involvement in our fifth year of the run.

One of the Bellevue Run Weekend beneficiaries, Mimi Siegel, the Executive Director of Kindering, said “There is nothing like the sense of fulfillment when our graduates succeed in finishing an exciting race.  We are grateful for the unparalleled community awareness, BBRC’s wonderfully generous contribution, and a place for our families to celebrate their achievements.”  Mimi further added “Thank all your fellow Rotarians for their leadership, hard work, and infectious can-do spirit.”

BBRC’s President, Chuck Kimbrough, was elated with the result and added: “It was an incredible outpouring of support for all the organizations that the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club supports with the Bellevue Run Weekend.  We couldn’t be more pleased with the results.  We are already starting to look toward next year’s Bellevue Run Weekend, where the BBRC can support the community both in terms of charitable causes and promoting healthy lifestyles.  We look forward to seeing everyone next year.”

About Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club

The Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club (BBRC) is known as The Best Darn Club in the World with a membership in excess of 115 community-minded individuals. The club was chartered in 1985 and its membership is dedicated to “service above self” and participating in Rotary International’s mission to promote understanding, goodwill, and world peace.  The vision of the BBRC is to cultivate a dynamic membership that enhances our club values to serve our local and world communities, providing systemic and enduring change.

 

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