Hundreds run and celebrate for a good cause at Riverbend Park

Riverbend Park filled with hundreds of people running and celebrating for a good cause, Saturday morning.

It kicked off with the Happy Girls Run.

The race connects and empowers women here in Central Oregon.

There was a 5k, 10k and half marathon for runners to choose from.

The course took participants from the park up to Northwest Bend for those who did the half marathon with many of them trying to beat the heat.

Megan Ecklund participated in the race and says, “It was getting hot, it was like just trying to pace myself and not go too fast and run out of energy.”

As runners crossed the finish line, they were given a sunflower and those that placed top three in their age category won goodie bags.

A portion of the happy girls run goes to the nonprofit Saving Grace.

Not to be outdone, kids got into the racing spirit, as they competed in the Happy Little Kids Run running a lap in a small course. There were three races for different age groups.

Everyone was a winner, with each one that crossed the finish line getting a finishers ribbon and other cool prizes.

During the Happy Girls Run was also Saving Grace Heroes Celebration, with many from the community coming out to celebrate the nonprofits lifesaving work.

There was live music, food trucks and fitness classes for people to try out.

Saving Grace Executive Director Cassi MacQueen adds, “All here celebrating together, coming together as a community and saying that we are going to support survivors and not stand for violence. It’s incredible to see everybody here today.”

Saving grace helps survivors of partner violence and sexual assault.

You can learn more about their work by clicking on this link.