In its sixteenth year, the Katie Welling Memorial Run/Walk was held in-person on Saturday, November 26. Given Covid restrictions, Katie’s Run had pivoted to a fully virtual event for maximum safety and flexibility in both 2020 and 2021. This beloved Thanksgiving tradition, which honors the memory of Katie Welling from Bronxville High School’s Class of 2002, returned this year as an in-person event with a virtual component for out-of-towners. More than 300 people registered to participate in the event which benefits the Bronxville School Foundation.

This year’s event also honored Tom Welling, Katie’s wonderful dad who passed away in March. Tom led the planning for Katie’s Run/Walk every year since its inception and was a true friend and asset to the Bronxville community.

Many friends of the Welling family arrived early Saturday morning to help set up for the event and register participants. It appeared as if no time at all had passed as they settled into their posts from previous years and helped guide new volunteers. “The enduring love and support from so many friends of the Welling family was evident,” said the Bronxville School Foundation’s Chairperson Brian Bodell. “We are so happy that we were able to gather together again this year to honor both Katie and Tom.”

Mayor Mary Marvin was in attendance, and Guidance Counselor Jim Agnello from the Bronxville School kicked off the race on a bullhorn at the front entrance of the Bronxville School. Twenty-six community volunteers, many with their children as helpers, closed the course to traffic with the Bronxville Police Department ensuring the safety of runners and walkers along the route. Members of the Welling family and friends welcomed runners and walkers at the finish line, and Thomas Welling, Jr. handed out medals to the winners. 

“Many of the same smiling faces we saw in photos submitted from the last two year’s virtual events were here in person and expressed happiness to be running and walking together as a community once again,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director, Helena McSherry.  “It was nice to see so many of the traditions of the event back with runners and walkers crossing the finish line at the Bronxville School track and friends catching up after the race.”

The way that Bronxville’s school staff, alumni, community members, and town merchants supported the event was very special. “As they have in the past, many generous merchants contributed to the event,” said the Foundation’s Alumni Chair Katie Shah. “We are grateful to Lange’s Deli, Park Place Bagels, Mrs. Morgan’s Flower Shop, and Tryforos & Pernice for donating refreshments and beautiful flowers for the event and to the Bronxville Running Company as well for lending their space to us for registration and bib pick-ups ahead of the in-person event.” 

The virtual option continued to allow friends from far and wide to participate even though they were not in Bronxville on Thanksgiving weekend. “People come up with really creative ways to participate virtually,” said Deirdre Doheny, the Foundation’s Public Relations Chair. “The Williams family sent in a run photo from Cape Cod and a second photo of their post-run polar plunge!” Beyond the Bronxville area, people showed their support from California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and Nicaragua. 

Registrations and donations totaled $15,750, with 262 runners and walkers participating in person, 59 people participating virtually, and 66 other donations.

The event was established by Katie Welling’s many friends and her family to commemorate her wonderful sense of humor, infectious laugh, and love of life. Katie died in an off-campus fire at Miami University in Ohio in 2005. She had just turned 21.

Thanks to the support of the Bronxville community, Katie’s Run/Walk has generated more than $280,000 since its inception.  Contributions to Katie’s Run allow the Foundation to fund grants for facilities improvements and equipment, faculty training, curriculum development and specialized programs at the Bronxville School.

For more information on Katie’s Run/Walk and to view this year’s photo album, please visit https://www.bronxvilleschoolfoundation.org/katie-welling-memorial-run-walk-2/.

Photo courtesy of Helena McSherry.