Rynearson Stadium hosted the annual Washtenaw County Heart Walk Saturday despite the weather.
From 9 a.m. to noon, the event raised money to fight heart disease in the U.S. The event included several hundred participants in both running and walking competitions.
“The annual Washtenaw County Heart Walk and 5K promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living in a fun, family environment,” the organization said on heartwalk.kintera.org.
The event was scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., but the drizzle covering Ypsilanti threatened, briefly, to turn into a thunderstorm. Due to the weather, the premiere of the event happened inside the stadium. Free coffee, water, bagels and other refreshments were provided.
Inside the indoor stadium, EMU's director of athletics, Heather Lyke, hosted the start of the event. Also inside were mascots, music and bounce houses for the children who attended with their families.
Just before 10 a.m., the participants were given the cue to exit the complex via the football player's exit to the stadium since the sky had cleared.
"We welcomed 3,000 walkers and runners who collectively raised $170,000," Cat Smith, national executive director of the American Heart Association said.
They're within sight of their $200,000 goal.
For the event, runners were charged $35, but walkers were able to participate for free. The money raised went towards the fight against heart disease.
The amount includes what the organization has received from dozens of companies — including $1,050 from the Ann Arbor branch of Johnson & Johnson, $867 from McKinley, $29,511.80 from the University of Michigan and $36,079.75 presented by Heather Lyke.
