Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette Richard Sarau was the first place runner for the annual Denise Marth Fun Run which ran along Bay Shore Drive in L'Anse. The event serves as a memorial for Marth, who was a local advocate of healthy lifestyles.

L’Anse — The 19th annual Denise Marth Fun Run was held on L’Anse’s Bay Shore Drive Saturday to promote community health, raise funds for the Baraga County Community Foundation (BCCF) and to honor the memory of Denise Marth. Marth was the BCCF director for many years and an advocate for living a healthy lifestyle through a healthy diet and physical activity. She died in a car accident in 2005.

BCCF Executive Director Gordette Leutz said Marth came to the area wanting to provide her assistance to the community through her knowledge with a master’s in nursing. Leutz explained Marth grew up with little resources and wanted to ensure struggling families could become aware of holistic healthy lifestyles.

“She brought together health agencies and nonprofit agencies from Houghton, Ontonagon, Baraga and the other surrounding counties,” Leutz said. “She brought them together to work together on health programs and grant funding. She brought a lot of grant dollars in for programs that she would create for health fairs, health education in the schools, extracurriculars and family health activities.”

Leutz said Marth’s motto was “Get off your butt and walk your mutt.” Leutz explained Marth would always look for ways to encourage people to become active and activities like the Fun Run are examples of making physical activity fun and taking advantage of the outdoors.

BCCF Vice President Jennifer Knisely said the event was a great way to kickoff the summer season and a good way to keep the memory of Marth alive.

Locals who participated in the event could walk, run, bike, roller skate or walk their dog for the 5K event on Bay Shore Drive that began at the L’Anse waterfront and ended at the Whirl-I-Gig.

The first place roller skater was Hayden Clisch, first place bikers Andrew and Samuel Dove came in at a tie, first place runner was Richard Sarau and the first place walkers were Rosie and Will Knisely. A total of 30 miles were covered by participants this year.

Once participants returned from the race, games and activities were available at the L’Anse waterfront gazebo for them to enjoy along with refreshments donated by Pat’s Foods and Larry’s Market.