EAST LANSING — The Izzo Run/Walk/Roll experienced another record-breaking year on April 26, with more than 9,300 participants and perfect spring running weather to mark the occasion.
“It was unbelievable,” said Race Director Joe Dimambro, adding that thousands of volunteers, spectators and supportive families and friends rounded out the multitude posted and moving along a course that finished at Michigan State University’s Spartan Stadium.
“An absolutely gorgeous day on campus…You could not have asked for better weather,” Dimambro said. “It’s just been great, from people running a superfast time and crossing the finish line to someone doing their first ever 5K, and Tom and Lupe Izzo and the entire family are out, cheering people out on the course, giving out medals. It really is a magical day.”
And so it was, the 7th annual Izzo Run/Walk/Roll that Dimambro said is easily in the top 5 of Michigan’s 5K events, with MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo and his wife Lupe creating, hosting and developing the for-charity event since its 2019 start.
Lupe Izzo is the president and founder of the Izzo Legacy that partnered with Okemos-based Playmakers and the Playmakers Foundation to put on the event.
Tim and Kristen Gallagher from Lansing have been supporters of the Izzo Run/Walk/Roll event and participants for the last two years. Kristen Gallagher said they “support it because of what they (the Izzo family) do to help the community and it’s such a little contribution.”
The event continues to grow in popularity and participation as it helps raise money for Lansing-area charities and nonprofits, including the Cristo Rey Community Center, Greater Lansing Food Bank and Small Talk Children’s Advocacy Center.
It’s also a draw for serious runners, with an April 26 winning clock time of about 15-1/2 minutes. And all participants get to enjoy the MSU campus in spring bloom, fully-closed roads, and finishing the event inside Spartan Stadium.
Mike Homan, track and cross country coach at Haslett, entered the Izzo Run/Walk/Roll 5K for the first time this year. He considered it a perfect day to support the Izzo Legacy and its “awesome event.”
“My daughter was doing it, my wife was doing it, so let’s do it,” he said.
Dimambro thanked everyone who made the day happen.
“This is just an incredible day of people coming together, moving their bodies, being healthy, celebrating all the great things about our community, having meaningful impact to all of our charity partners – a huge shout out to them,” he said. “Thank you and appreciation to everyone that played any role in making today happen.
“We’re beyond grateful and super excited for how well this year went. We’re already looking forward to next year.”
Contact editor Susan Vela at svela@lsj.com or 248-873-7044. Follow her on Twitter @susanvela.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Izzo Run/Walk/Roll breaks participation record on ‘gorgeous’ spring day
Reporting by Susan Vela and Robert Killips, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
