COVID-19 forces SMCH to cancel Fun Run

Due to the current COVID-19 situation, Stewart Memorial Community Hospital has cancelled its annual Fun Run on June 27, according to a news release on June 15. The Fun Run was originally scheduled to begin a day of events ahead of the Western Days Celebration, also set for that Saturday in Lake City.

“It is with heavy hearts that we decided to cancel this year’s event,” said Cindy Carstens, CEO of SMCH. “Our responsibility to our patients, staff, and community required us to look closely at how we could manage the run and be able to ensure social distancing, masking and hand hygiene were possible. Our team determined we could not, in good conscience, proceed with the event with the safety of our community in mind.”

“Knowing that exercise is crucial for physical, mental, and emotional health, we still want to encourage everyone to get outside and take a walk or a run,” Carstens added. “We would love to see everyone wearing their 2020 Fun Run shirts, so please post them on your Facebook page with #SMCHFunRun.”

Event organizers would love for you to consider your race registration as a donation for a new element this year. Proceeds from t-shirt sales will be distributed to area food pantries. Registration is still available on the hospital’s website at www.stewartmemorial.org for those who would still like a t-shirt and support local food pantries.

Fun Run organizers are currently making plans for next year’s event on June 26, 2021.