Steve Knox was a recreational runner and had taken part in the Run of the Mill 5K on a few occasions.
When Knox heard that South Snohomish County was about to drop its involvement in the event, he didn’t want to let that happen.
“There was no longer anyone to plan and execute it,” said Knox, who lives in Mill Creek.
Knox took the matter into his own hands and talked to staff at Mill Creek. He wondered if he and his wife, Linda, volunteered, if the city would help.
“It’s the longest standing event in Mill Creek,” Knox said. “The city didn’t want to lose it.”
Knox and his wife are now organizers and race sponsors of the Run of the Mill 5K run and walk, which celebrated its 24th year July 11 at Mill Creek Town Center.
The charity run drew about 1,925 people, Knox said July 14.
“Proceeds go for patient assistance fund,” said Dave Brooks, chief executive of Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. Since 2006, almost $100,000 has been given to the Linda Baltzell Cancer Patient Assistance Fund.
The race donates 100 percent of entry fees to the fund and no financial support is provided by the city of Mill Creek.
The fund helps patients receiving cancer treatment with everyday expenses including paying for transportation to clinical care, prescriptions, utility costs and everyday bills.
Brooks is also a participant in the Run of the Mill event. Last year, he walked the course and took his two children, ages 8 and 11, with him.
“We made it all the way around,” Brooks said. “It’s a blast.”
More than 150 Providence employees will run in the race, all wearing lime green shirts.
“It’s the color of the cancer program,” Brooks said.
Providence Regional Medical Center Everett is a sponsor of the event, as is Knox’s business, Columbia Funding Mortgage.
Although he works full time, Brooks devotes about 20 hours a week to volunteering for the annual event. Linda Knox is a full-time, 40-hour-a-week volunteer by the time January or February comes around.
“We do everything from coordinating permits, getting sponsors, marketing the race and getting certified with U.S. Track and Field,” Steve Knox said.
Runners, walkers, people with jogging strollers and even dogs are welcome to sign up for the race this weekend.
“Dogs this year will get a bandana,” Steve Knox said.
There are approximately 290 registrations still available with a maximum of 2,000 participants.
“At the end of the day, it’s supporting a great cause,” Steve Knox said.
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