Run for brain tumor research on Saturday

By ANDREW POTTER, TIMES-REPUBLICAN
The bike path in Marshalltown will be packed with runners Saturday morning as a 5K run to raise money for brain tumor research will be held.

The race is being organized by the family of 10-year-old Jenna Gunderson of Union who was diagnosed with a brain tumor January 2007.

The day will include a 1/4-mile children’s fun run at 8 a.m. with the 5K to follow from the Community Y.

Jenna’s mother, Jolece Gunderson, said about 115 runners have signed up for the race. Those who have not pre-registered can sign up to run the morning of the race from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. She said the response and help has been overwhelming.

“It’s been great,” Gunderson said. “People are willing to do everything we need.”The run will raise money for research for Pediatric Low Grade Brain Tumors. “All the money is going strictly to research,” she said.

Jenna previously had surgery to remove a tumor and has had a tumor grow back with the next surgery scheduled for June 3 in Ohio.

Registration to run the day of the event is $23 for adults and $12 for children under 15. T-shirts will be included as supplies last and fruit and muffins will be provided after the run. For more information on running or becoming a sponsor of the race call Jolece Gunderson at 641- 750-4721 or visit www.jennaswish.org.

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Contact Andrew Potter at 641-753-6611 or apotter@timesrepublican.com