WHITEHOUSE – Heartland Hospice sponsored the "Last Mile" Memorial during the Great Black Swamp
Festival of Races held last Saturday at the Anthony Wayne Schools campus. Close to 600 runners showed up
and braved the cold weather to participate in either a 1-k, 5-k, 15-k or 25-k race.
The "Last Mile" Memorial was named for and run in memory of Toledo Roadrunners Club (TRRC)
member Randy Baker. All registered runners had the opportunity to submit a name of a loved one who they
would like to honor during the last mile of the 15k and 25k races.
"Some runners were emotional as they submitted names of family members and friends. The thought of
running in honor of their loved one was inspiring," commented Carla Hughes, marketing vice
president for Heartland Hospice. "One sign was even dedicated to the victims of the Boston
Marathon.
Heartland created over 150 signs of submitted names and placed them along the last mile of the race
leading up to the finish arch. The last sign, befittingly, honored Randy Baker.
Runners drew hearts, shamrocks, tiaras and other symbols on the signs in remembrance. Runners were seen
giving high-fives to the signs as they raced by.