The Human Etch A Sketch to run around Lake City on July 5

Coralville resident and Avoca native Rik Zortman runs with a purpose. In each county that he visits, he becomes the “Human Etch A Sketch,” by running out a name of a child or an adult who is fighting cancer or has passed away after fighting the dreaded disease.

The day after Independence Day, Zortman is coming to Lake City.

Starting at 2 p.m. on July 5, onlookers can see Rik in action, using a GPS to pace through the avenues and sidewalks of Lake City while spelling out a special someone’s name. Zortman’s visit to Calhoun County will mark the 70th county that he has ran within the state of Iowa.

Since the passing of his son, Armstrong, in 2009, Zortman has taken part in three marathons, 36 half-marathons and countless other races. Each time he takes to a marathon or a specific path, he aims to help pay tribute to those currently fighting the good fight or those who have passed on due to cancer.

Since 2017, Zortman’s mission and work has been featured on ESPN, alongside a multitude of newspapers and television stations. Rik is also closing in on 1,600 different sketches in his three years of creating names from his charity runs.

According to Zortman, he could run up to a six-letter name or word for his run in Lake City, with the intention of localizing his run.

Those interested and have a word or name of a cancer patient or victim in mind, can make a request through either phone call via text to Zortman at (712) 307-2341, by searching “#humanetchasketch” on Facebook or by visiting www.runforarmstrong.com.