Kimberly Stowe, one of the Hemet Memorial Race volunteer coordinators, gives a big high five to one of the many 10k runners as they near the finish line to receive their medal. Valley News/Tony Ault photo
Memorial Day was celebrated in many Southwest Riverside County cities but none more unique than in Hemet where adults and children ran in honor of the country’s fallen soldiers in their fight for freedom. The annual Memorial Day 5k and 10k run and walk, and kids 1k run began early Monday, May 26 on Angler Ave. in Diamond Valley Lake Park in Hemet with several hundred runners prepared to run by 7:45 a.m.Marine Corps veteran Jason Elsworth who finished the 10k run said he was running the race for the “Veterans who passed in sacrifice for their nation. I just wanted to remember them on this day because now they can’t feel any pain. It is to honor them on this day.” Elsworth was deployed twice to Iraq and in Afghanistan. He proudly held up his finishing 10k metal.[gallery td_se
