At Lucky's 13 in Mendota, Run, Walk or Crawl for a Good Cause

The Big Rivers Trail in Mendota is quiet right now, with only an occasional jogger loping past.

However, this weekend behind it’ll be a different scene. Hundreds of runners, walkers and joggers will gather for Lucky’s third annual 5k Fun Run, Walk or Crawl on Saturday, May 14 at 9 a.m. The race will be a chance for many to enjoy the (hopefully) beautiful spring weather while supporting several area charities.

There will be monetary rewards given to the top three finishers as well as chances to win other prizes for everyone else participating in the event.

This year, Lucky’s will be pooling the money raised from the 5k with funds from two other events that they’ll be sponsoring–a patio party held on May 22 and their second annual golf tournament, taking place on June 13.

The plan is to raise $10,000 for charity. The money will be split three ways between the Wishes & More Foundation and two teams participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure taking place in August—Team Mickey’s Hope and Team Tracks for Racks.

Since the start, Lucky’s owners, Linda Young and Charlie Burrows, said they have wanted to create a restaurant that not only was supported by locals, but that gave back to the community they served.

“The owners are amongst the greatest in the planet and are very philanthropic,” said Bonnie Reinke, events coordinator for Lucky’s.

Following this Saturday's race, Lucky’s will also be holding a design-a-bra competition in which anyone, whether a runner or not, can submit a creatively decorated bra for the judges. As a heads up, last year’s winning bra was encased in tater tots that had been cooked, cooled and then glazed, so that idea has already been taken.

Steve Hyland, a member of Team Mickey’s Hope, will be participating not only in the 3-Day, but also in Lucky’s 5k.

Hyland began his involvement with the Susan G. Komen Foundation when his sister, Mickey O’Connor, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She battled cancer for 13 years before she passed away in 2008. Hyland began walking the 3-Day beside his sister and continues to walk, and run, in her memory.

This will be Hyland’s third time running Lucky’s 5k. He’s an avid runner, having completed many a 5k and marathon before, but for him, the 5k is just a means to a hopeful end.

“I know it sounds kind of cliché, but we’re really on a mission to see if we can make a difference in this whole crazy breast cancer epidemic,” he said.

For Thom Lim, it’ll be a different kind of race. He’s always wanted to complete a 5k, but, at age 43, hasn’t yet. He’s been training for a month already and has already completed several three-mile runs.

“I figure this would be a good one to start with because I know Lucky’s and I know it’ll be fun,” he said.

Two weeks before the event, he said he felt ready.

“If I walk, I walk. I’m not too stressed about it. It’s just going to be a lot of fun and I can’t wait to do it,” Lim said.

To register for the event go to www.active.com and search using the key words “Lucky’s 5k.” Registration for the event will close on Friday, May 13.