High Five Race

When he became bishop, Dave gained a certain status not just at church gatherings, but at other  neighborhood events.   John Hansen, a member of our ward, started the High Five neighborhood race many years ago.  It has become a popular 5K race for the whole Upper Avenues.  John gathers volunteers each year to register racers, time the races, and hand out t-shirts and prizes.   Usually the race is held at 5 p.m., but since it had been above 100 degrees by 4 p.m. all week, John switched the race to 6:30 a.m. on July 17, 2021.  Before the race began, John introduced Dave as the local bishop and called on him to say a prayer.  John and other race managers then introduced Dave and me to the many non-members in the Upper Avenues who run in the race each year.  One interesting newcomer was a Muslim ER doctor.  

No ward event could succeed without Russell McSweeney playing a prominent role.  He is a great organizer and he likes being the boss!  Here he is, getting ready to patrol the race track. When Dave and I were in charge of parties for the ward, I made sure Russ was on our committee!

The Hilltop Ward includes many wonderful people, such as John Thomson, above.  He is a retired radiologist and our former bishop.  John and Patti are Dave's and my exact contemporaries.  They got married in 1970, as we did, and they also have four children, our children's ages. John and Patti are both kindly, devout, humble people.

Another couple we love are Bob and Judy Edwards.  Bob (left) is my cousin.  He and Judy are very kindly, well-educated, and devout.  Bob was our stake president and he and Judy served as counselors to the president of the Salt Lake Temple. Bob also served a distinguished career as an attorney.   At 81, Bob still runs races.  This year he was given a "lifetime achievement award" at the High Five race.

Bob's daughter, Rebecca, was in town from Minnesota.  Since we are related, I made a point of saying "hello."

Herb and JoDee Flindt are relatives-in-law, since their son, Kyle, married our daughter, Lisa.  Two of the Flindt grandchildren--daughters of Kyle's sister Laura--ran in the race.  Herb and JoDee are good grandparents.

Diane Hansen (left) is John's wife and another good friend.  She is full of warmth and laughter, and it feels good just to be around her.

John Hansen assembled all the trappings of a good race, including these race markers.

The crowd waited excitedly to watch the runners come in.