In the summer of 2023, Orlando and Jessica Vargas, of Horseheads, experienced every parent’s worst nightmare. Their son, Orlando Josiah, died unexpectedly only a day before his sixth birthday.
The Vargases turned their grief into a mission, and in 2024 established the Orlando Josiah Memorial 5k to remember their beloved son and also to raise funds to establish a scholarship in his name.
The third annual Orlando Josiah Memorial 5k will take place Saturday, June 27 at Thorne Street Park, 504 Thorne St. in Horseheads. The 5K will start at 8:30 a.m. and a kids fun run will follow at 9:45 a.m.
“We decided to honor our son’s memory with an annual 5k and kid’s fun run for the community,” Jessica Vargas said, “and this race has become a beautiful reminder of the joy he brought to those around him.”
Orlando was kindhearted and helpful, loved learning and playing with his brother Charlie, and also enjoyed collecting Pokémon cards with his friends and worshipping with his church family, according to his obituary.
He also loved sports and other outdoor activities, so his family felt a 5K race was a fitting way to honor his memory, Jessica Vargas said.
Participants can register online by June 25.
The registration fee is $43.50 for the 5K and virtual 5K race, and $16 for the kids fun run. All proceeds from the event will go toward a scholarship fund in the name of Orlando Josiah for a deserving future graduate of the Horseheads Central School District.
There will also be a $100 award for the first place overall male and female winners (20 and older), as well as a $50 award for the top overall youth male and female winners (19 and younger). Medals will be awarded to the top 175 finishers.
For more information and to register, go to runsignup.com/Race/NY/Horseheads/OrlandoJosiahMemorial5k.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: 3rd annual memorial race planned for Horseheads boy. What to know
Reporting by Jeff Murray, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeff Murray, Elmira Star-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
