SABINA — The fifth annual Brett Wightman Memorial 5K run, walk and fun run is approaching its Saturday, Oct. 17 pre-registration deadline.
Lance Corporal Brett Wightman died 10 years ago when his amphibious assault vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device during combat operations south of Hadithah, Iraq. He was 22 and a Marine. Fourteen Marines were killed in that explosion.
“We’re not mourning him as much as we’re celebrating his life,” said Keith Wightman, Brett Wightman’s father. “To me that’s important.”
Keith Wightman said the money raised by the race will go to the Brett Wightman Foundation, which aims to fund a scholarship, and the East Clinton pee-wee football team Brett Wightman helped.
“I wanted to make it a positive,” Keith Wightman said. “Lord knows, that’s pretty hard to do. And I also wanted to never let anyone forget who Brett Wightman was.”
Keith Wightman said his son wasn’t married and had no children, “so, when he died, that was the only thing he had left was his name.”
“I wanted people to always remember, long after I’m gone, that his name will always (be there),” he said. “We’ll always try to generate money so that we can build this foundation that we made for him. That’s going to be my goal for the rest of my life.
“This would be something that he would have wanted,” Keith Wightman said.
The run will be Saturday, Nov. 14, at 8 a.m. at Sabina Elementary School, 246 W. Washington Street.
It costs $30 to pre-register and $35 to register on the day of the event. Registration covers the costs of a T-shirt and breakfast, which is a new addition. Only a limited number of T-shirts are available.
To pre-register, visit www.brettwightmanmemorialrun.com. Those with questions can call Keith Wightman at 740-463-4498.
To register at the event, be at Sabina Elementary School at 7 a.m.
To register simply for the breakfast provided by Traditions costs $8. Registration and pre-registration are reduced $5 for veterans or active military members.
The course is a flat route through Sabina.
Awards go to the top male and female winner, and one each to the 10 and under, 11 to 14, 15 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49 and 50 and over age categories.
Current records are 18 minutes, 1 second for men, held by James Cochenour and 20 minutes, 56 seconds for women, held by Mikki Kreager.
Those interested in sponsoring the race can contact Keith Wightman at 740-463-4498. Sponsorships range from $100 or less to $300 and up and include different packages containing shirts and names on the sponsor board.
Reach Nathan Kraatz at 937-382-2574, ext. 2510 or on Twitter @NathanKraatz.
