Run for Randy tonight in SG

Randy Palya of Spring Grove died battle with brain stem cancer when he was nine years old. (Photo from www.townadvertiser.com/run4randy/)

Tonight is Run for Randy, a three-mile walk and run held annually in memory of Randy Palya.

Randy was nine when he died in February 2004, after a battle with brain stem cancer. That summer his family held the first Run in his honor.

The 2004 event attracted about 125 participants, and the Palyas were thrilled. But they had no idea the run would eventually draw the nearly 1,000 people who attended last year.

"It's very touching and meaningful to our whole family," said Randy's mom, Nancy. "Our goal this year is we want to beat that 1,000."

Participation costs $15 for adults, $10 for children younger than 14 or $50 for an entire family. Last minute registration will be taken tonight starting at 5 p.m., an the event officially starts at 6:30 p.m. at Horse Fair Park in Spring Grove, near Main and Blivin streets.

This year one of Randy's school friends, Ryne Blanton, will kick off the event. There will be live music, including a performance by Final Call, a local pop alternative band of which Randy's brother, Dean, is a member.  There also will be refreshments.

Proceeds from the walk will benefit a slew of charities, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Home of the Sparrow, Richmond/Spring Grove Food Pantry and the Randy Palya Memorial Scholarship, which helps children participate in a sport, and other charities.

"It has helped us greatly in our whole grieving process," Nancy Palya said. "To see the support we've gotten from our community ... and to be able to contribute to all these charities helps us to spread Randy's spirit."

– Diana Sroka