Runners put it all together for Autism Speaks

TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM
Runners leave the starting line Saturday in front of The Pub tavern on North Main Street during a “puzzle run” organized by the Sole Sisters and Brothers running club. The scavenger hunt-like event was a fundraiser for the northwest Missouri region of Autism Speaks.

A group of local running enthusiasts gathered Saturday afternoon at The Pub tavern on North Main Street, which served as the starting and finishing point for a scavenger hunt-like “puzzle run” organized by Sole Sisters and Brothers.

The 10-K was the first of at least three events planned by the running club this year and was organized in support of the northwest Missouri region of Autism Speaks.

Still to come in 2017 for Sole Sisters and Brothers is a 5-K poker run on Aug. 12 at the cross-country course adjoining Donaldson Westside Park and a Reindeer Run in December.

The August event will raise money to purchase signage for the cross-country circuit, and the Reindeer Run is a fundraiser Toys for Tots.

On Saturday, runners competed as either teams or individuals and covered a course with stops at Sisson-Eek Park, Beal Park, Robertson-Crist Park and Colden Pond on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University.

At each location, participants paused to pick up small, wooden puzzle pieces. When all four pieces were assembled at the end of the race, they formed a map disclosing the location of a cache of prizes, including a Pub T-shirt, gift cards and water bottles.

Founded in 2005, Autism Speaks is an advocacy organization that sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments and the public.

Sole Sisters and Brothers member Kenneth Hamilton said anyone interested in signing up for the club’s August run at Donaldson Westside Park should email him at [email protected]