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Matt Kjelland Memorial 10K & 5K Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run

Sat September 24, 2022 Alexandria, MN 56308 US Directions

Events

5K RUN

9:40AM CDT
Open to ages 100 and under.

10K RUN

9:30AM CDT

Kids 1K Fun Run

11:00AM CDT
Open to ages 14 and under.

Place

Alexandria City Park
118 City Park Road
Alexandria, MN US 56308

Description

This event has been created by the Matt Kjelland Memorial Foundation, an IRS 501(c)(3) Public Charity. The event is a fundraiser with all proceeds donated to Mental Health & Suicide Prevention non-profit groups, along with sponsoring a Memorial Scholarship at the Alexandria Area High School. The Foundation's Mission Statement is located on this website.  On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Kjelland Family, we wish to Thank You for your participation and financial support !

 

The Matt Kjelland Memorial Run/Walk is a community event created to honor the life and memory of Matt Kjelland and Susan Kjelland, and a fundraiser for Mental Health initiatives and Suicide Prevention programs. Matt was an incredible young man. He was a loyal friend and always quick to put others before himself. Help us honor and celebrate his life by participating in this Memorial event while raising funds to help others.  Matt suffered from chronic Lyme Disease, clinical depression and took his life in September of 2016.

Sue passed unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm in February of 2020.

 

Details:

Who: All Are Welcome

What: 10K Run & 5K Runners/5K Walkers. Competitive Divisions with Age Group Awards. All participants will receive a Finisher's Medal.

Alternate 1-Mile+ Options Walking course and a 1K Kids Fun Run are also part of the event.

KIDS:  For all events, FREE for kids 10 Years Old and Younger

  • Cost: 10K = $30 until Aug 22, from Aug 23 to September 21 = $35.00

  • 5K Run = $30.00 until Aug 22, from Aug 23 to September 21 = $35.00

  • 5K Walk= $25.00 until Aug 22, from Aug 23 to September 21 = $30.00

  • 1 Mile Family Fun Walk= $20.00 until Aug 22, from Aug 23 to September 21 = $25.00.

  • Kids 1K Fun Run= FREE / *For liability reasons please register your child for this event.

  • (age 10 & under only)  Each child will receive a Finisher's Ribbon.

  • All registrants will receive a complimentary T-shirt and Finisher's Medal as part of the registration fee. You will be asked to select a shirt size during your registration.

Where: Alexandria City Park & Central Lakes Trail in Alexandria, MN

Other: There will be a social time during and following the race. Food, prizes, Silent Auction, family entertainment, and great fellowship!

Registration:  You may register online via this website, by mail by printing this form (Registration Form),and sending it with your check to Matt Kjelland Memorial Foundation, PO Box 601, Alexandria MN 56308 or on day of event.  Contact us for more information regarding paper registration: mkjelland@charter.net or 320-808-3130

Donations

On-line donors can specify which area of our mission that you wish to designate your funds or indicate "at the Board's discretion.  Mail in donations are asked to indicate their preference also.

Donation designation areas

1) Mental Health/Suicide Prevention

2) Matt Kjelland Memorial Scholarship

3) Matt Kjelland Community Memorial Basketball Courts-Downtown Alexandria.

4) At Foundation Board's Discretion for division among the 3 choices above. 

* The Matt Kjelland Memorial Foundation in an IRS 501(C)(3) Public Charity 

Proceeds from the event have been donated to local & regional non-profit mental health assistance organizations, including but not limited to; ATCC Mental Health(CAPS), Bio-Girls Self Esteem Development, and Community Suicide Awareness/Education programs.

                                                                       Race Day Schedule:

8:00am - 9:00am:  On-site registration open, Silent Auction open, and an optional injury prevention Dynamic Warm-up session will be provided for runners/walkers led by Fitness Professionals.

8:45 am - 9:30 AM: Program: This presentation will include comments honoring Matt's life, description of the mission & accomplishments of the Foundation, announcement of special guests, general event information, followed by a beautiful song by local vocalist.  DJ Thumper will be present to provide entertainment in City Park.

10K Run Start: 9:30 AM / 5K   Run Start: 9:45 AM / 5K & One Mile Family Walk Start: 9:50 AM /  Kids 1K Fun Run Start: 11:00 AM /  Awards Ceremony: 11:15 AM

                                                                                                                       

During and after the race there will be a social time with music, entertainment for the kids, Silent Auction, concessions, etc.  Make it a fun family time celebrating Matt’s life and legacy.

Awards will be given in Male & Female categories for each of the age brackets below - 5K Run,10K Run only (Run Chip Timed by Pickle Events!!!)

14 & under   15-19    20-29    30-39     40-49    50-59     60-69   70 & Over

 

 

 

 

Race Contact Info

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Ultramarathon

Valued Sponsors

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Matt Kjelland

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About The Matthew Kjelland 5K Memorial Walk/Run Origin

The 5K/10K Memorial Walk/Run was setup to honor and remember the life of Matt & Sue Kjelland.  Matt passed on Sept 23, 2016 after a three year battle with chronic lyme disease and clinical depression.  Matt took his own life.  Sue passed away on Feb 6, 2020 suddenly from a brain aneurysm.  After his passing, Matt’s friends and family organized an annual memorial event to celebrate Matt’s life and keep his memory alive. The group chose to setup an annual 5K Walk/Run – Fundraiser.  The walk and run are symbolic of Matt’s passion for fitness and health.  Proceeds from the fundraiser are used to provide financial support for local and regional Mental Health organizations providing services in SUICIDE AWARENESS & PREVENTION,  the MATT KJELLAND MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP and the new Matt Kjelland Memorial Basketball Courts in partnership with the City of Alexandria Parks & Recreation. Scholarship is awarded to a senior(s) that are planning on attending college to pursue a career in Health & Wellness, a career pathway that Matt had chosen. In addition, donations have been made to the area School Food Shelf programs and local Lyme Disease Support Groups. THANK YOU to all that have participated, donated and volunteered in many ways to support this annual memorial.

"I have fought the good fight.  I have finished the race.   I have kept the Faith"     2 Timothy 4:7

2018 Scholarship Recipents

 2018 Scholarship Award Recipients  - Nolan Christenson & Chloe Schneider

Matt's Plaque

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Created by Shanna & Matt Commerford

 

Matthew Kjelland Memorial Foundation Mission

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Matthew Kjelland Memorial Foundation is to provide financial assistance, education outreach and to promote the efforts of non-profit organizations that are dedicated to providing suicide prevention and mental health education and related services.  This includes both the general population and military Veterans.  In addition, to continue to award the Matthew Kjelland Memorial Scholarship to enhance post-secondary educational opportunities for students pursuing careers in the health & wellness professions.  This scholarship is administered through the memorial scholarship program at the Alexandria Area High School, in Alexandria, MN.  This is awarded to honor the memory and life of Matthew Kjelland.   All actions of the Foundation reflect the Christian values upon which they based and governed by the board of directors.  More details are provided in the Executive Summary.                            

2018 Race Article: FINISHING THE RACE / Written by Sheila Hellermann

FINISHING THE RACE

Read this very inspirational account of  what one runner experienced as a participant in the 2nd Annual Matt Kjelland Memorial 5K on September 15, 2018.  She poses some very thought provoking questions about running, spirituality and life.  The writing is a wonderful  tribute to Matt and our family, our planning group, volunteers and participants.   Click the link: https://fromtheheartmn.com     At the top of the page find Perptual Posters and then Sheila Hellermann series, But Don't Ask Me To Sing -  FINISHING THE RACE / Sheila Hellermann 

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith"     2 Timothy 4:7

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