WILLMAR — Runners gathered Saturday at Robbins Island Regional Park in Willmar for the fifth annual Promise 5K race. The event was hosted by Children of the Promise to help raise funds for the nonprofit’s work in northern Haiti.

In addition to 22 local sponsors, registration fees and the voluntary offering box, the event raised funds through a pie. An anonymous donor offered $30 for each slice of pie eaten that day. With 66 pies made throughout the week leading up to the event, there were 528 slices of pie available to eat.

Levi Jones / West Central Tribune

The race was part of the Glacial Lakes Championship Running Series, helping runners track times across races and compete at the state level.

Between in-person and virtual runners, Saturday’s 5K had more than 150 participants, including Kirt Goetzke, a 63-year-old who runs 100 5Ks a year and has run more than 3,000 5Ks in his life .

“The course is fantastic. As you go around the lake, there are beautiful colors in the trees,” Goetzke said.

Children of the Promise is a Christian nonprofit organization based in Willmar and Haiti. Founded approximately 25 years ago, the organization works with families in crisis in Haiti to provide support and housing.

Levi Jones / West Central Tribune

Levi Jones / West Central Tribune

Levi Jones / West Central Tribune

Levi Jones is the business reporter for the West Central Tribune. After growing up in the Twin Cities, Jones attended Hamline University for journalism and media communications. After graduating in 2020, Jones worked as a journalist covering everything from sports to politics.