Over 2,000 students from Salem and Keizer crossed a finish line at Bush’s Pasture Park track Saturday, May 16, to raise money for their schools. Students hit the track just after 8 a.m. for the annual Awesome 3000 race. Runners race anywhere from 300 to 3,000 meters starting at McCulloch Stadiu m, through the park and end at the finish line back at the stadium. The race, organized by United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, has events for everyone from toddlers to high school seniors. The run brings in thousands of dollars each year to provide grants to local schools and teachers. The race has raised over $135,000 since 2023. Practice Alessandro Ramirez, 5, stretches with his group. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A volunteer and a group of runners wave to their families in the stands. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Tristan Sheehan, 8, plugs his ears as his classmates shout. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Natalie Budke, 12, and Avery Moser, 8, pick out a toy for their brother who was running in the Unified race. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Asher Liudahl, 10, holds up a heart for his family in the stands. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Joshua Eppley, 3, blows bubbles on the field. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Heidan Trinidad helps his sister, Emma Saldana, 5, wave to family in the stands. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Lena Scholerman, 7, stands with her group before her race. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A volunteer plays games with a group of young runners before their race. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Broderick Danner, 8, and Cruze Carmona, 8, play rock, paper, scissors ahead of their race. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Signs for each grade of runner are laid out on the track. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Monica Kneuper, 4, talks with Levi Coyne on the field ahead of her race. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Jaxson Hallford, 7, stands with his classmates before his race. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) The race track Liberty Mann, 10, nears the end of her race. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Tobias Delamarter, 7, leads a pack of first grade students at the starting line. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Joseph Shewey, 13, heads to the finish line with his uncle John, left, and dad, David, right. Shewey has been doing the Unified run since he was 5, but this is the first time he has completed the entire route standing. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Ana Roberts rings a cowbell to cheer on runners. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Salem-Keizer Superintendent Andrea Castañeda cheers on Sam Collier, 11, as he nears the end of his race. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Teagan Davis, 9, high fives Alinah Zaichenko, 8, along the Bush Park trail. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Blakely Jaranilla, 6, heads to the finish line. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Tobias Delamarter, 7, heads to the finish line. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Jaina Baldwin, 8, runs her hand along the flags as she nears the end of her race. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Runners near the finish line. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A runner enters the stadium towards the end of his race. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Steve Dougherty, the starter, signals the beginning of a race. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) The finish line A young spectator cheers on racers from the stands. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Aiden Martinez, 7, holds up his Awesome 3000 medal. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Lara Tiffin high fives Yanuel Maldonado, 10, as he crosses the finish line. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Dean Dixon, 6, puts on his medal. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Andy Kronser hands a runner a medal. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Spectators cheer from the stands. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Expert team of volunteers make organizing thousands of kids look easy at Awesome 3000 Have a news tip? Contact reporter Hailey Cook: [email protected] . SIGN UP: “Your work helps hold leaders accountable and gives citizens a voice.” Independent reporting gives Salem a stronger voice on issues from homelessness to health care. Be part of that work. Subscribe today. The post PHOTO GALLERY: With medals at the end for all, 2,000 run in Awesome 3000 appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less