5K Honors Karen Coaldrake, Benefits Johnston Charities

Friday evening's Fifth Annual 5K For Karen holds special meeting for the city of Johnston.

Not only does the walk honor the memory of Karen Coaldrake, it benefits a number of Johnston charities.

Coaldrake, who died in 2008, was a Johnston school board member, active resident and mother.

Todd Keech, who has helped organize the event for the past five years, used to run with Coaldrake.

"Her philosophy was to have fun," he said. "My goal is for this to get people active and at the same time be able to give back to the community."

And for the past several years the run has done just that.

The 5K For Karen has provided money for Dollars for Scholars, the Johnston Foundation, the Silver Cords Program, the local clothes closet, Little Leagues, soccer programs and the Iowa Donor Network, Keech said.

"Our goal is to really get more people in the community to have the opportunity to run, have some fun and at the same time give back 100 percent to the community," he said.

Friday's event, part of the , opens at 6 p.m. for check-in and walk-up registration. The untimed race gets started at 7 p.m. at the Johnston Public Library. The cost for the run is $20.

A free kids' run follows the run/walk.