Hundreds Attend 29th Annual Cooper's Fun Run for Special Education

Smiles and laughter filled the air at in Dexter on Friday for the 29th annual Cooper's Fun Run.

More than 1,100 special needs students from across Washtenaw County converged on the park for the event.

"We host this event every year in conjunction with the local schools and Hudson Mills park staff in order to expose kids and adults with special needs to the importance of staying active and fit," event founder Nancy Cooper said.

An avid runner and athlete, Cooper said she launched the event after working with special education students through the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) for decades.

"Fitness is a big deal to me," she said. "Every year the run gets bigger and bigger, and now through the help of local school volunteers, it has become an institution."

Adults and children alike from Dexter, Chelsea, Ann Arbor, Saline and Ypsilanti participated in this year's event.

"The students train with their classes for weeks. When they come to the park, they can choose to run 3 miles, 5 miles or 8 miles," Cooper explained.

Several local nonprofit groups and businesses help out at the event every year, including the Dexter High School National Honor Society, Chelsea Kiwanis Club, Huron Valley Ambulance, and Huron-Clinton Metroparks staff.

"It's a wonderful program, and we're proud to be a part of it," Don Cole, Chelsea Kiwanis Club member said.

Cole said the club helps fund trophies for the event and members serve as path supervisors to keep race participants away from the Huron River.

Cheryl Wells, National Honor Society adviser, said more than 60 Dexter High School students attended the event, providing hot dog lunches, water and snacks for volunteers.

"I think the leadership experience as well as the contact with all the runners is a positive thing for our students. It leads to a better understanding of diversity," she said.

Throughout the year, NHS members also collect, clean and refurbish old trophies to present to the runners at the end of the event.

"We are always looking for trophy donations of all sizes," Wells said. "We put a runner on top of the trophy and add the name of the event. The kids look forward to picking out their trophy after they finish their laps around the park."

Betty Keefe, a representative from the WISD said the race is unlike other compeitive 5K events in that participants do not have to pay to participate.

"It's just a fun day to enjoy the outdoors," she said. "Students love it. (Hudson Mills) does such a good job putting the event together every year."

For more information about services for special needs children and adults in Washtenaw County, contact Children's Special Health Care Services at 734-544-6766.