Warmth and lots of sun at Run for Wayne

About 120 participate in event to honor Wayne Burlison

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Brian Krieger and Adam Burlison release balloons just after noon today during the second annual Run for Wayne, a 3.17-mile race in honor of Adam’s father Wayne Burlison.

He was 36 when he died from colon cancer on March 26, 2014. Krieger and Burlison were close friends and running partners. They helped start the Albion Running Club, which organized today’s race.

Wayne’s wife Lisa Burlison thanked the community for supporting the race. She also shared about her husband’s faith, and his commitment to his family, fitness and his students. Mr. Burlison taught music at Albion for 12 years.

The runners gather on Clarendon Road near the elementary school for the start of the race. The 3.17-mile course represents the 3 months and 17 days that Burlison lived his diagnosis of Stage 4 colon cancer.

The bright sunshine and temperatures in the 60s was a contrast from the first Run for Wayne on March 28, 2015, when there was lots of snow on the ground and frigid temperatures.

The Albion pep band played upbeat tunes to cheer on the runners.

Runners head east on Route 31 past Butts Road for the first mile.

Tess Pettit, right, and Trinity Allen hand out water.

Runners head into Mount Albion Cemetery, passing underneath the big stone arch. Burlison played in the Mark Time Marchers, a band that performs in many local parades.

A runner approaches a photo of Burlison attached to a tree along the course in the cemetery.

After a loop in the cemetery, runners head west on Route 31 to the finish at the elementary school.

Riley Seielstad, an Albion high schooler, ran her first race today. She was one of Burlison’s students.

Race results will be posted on the Albion Running Club website. Click here for more information.