13TH ANNUAL DARREN DASH
JULY 6TH | 2024
8:30am
This year, the 13th Annual Darren Dash will be teaming up with the Freedom Fest 5k
First 150 registrants receive a t-shirt and all registrants receive a wrist band. First Place plaques to first male and female finishers
ATTENTION!
Due to flooding, the start of the race and registration is being moved to the following location:
The Northeast corner of Todd Park - by the soccer fields
11th Street & 21st Ave NE
Austin, MN 55912
This 13th annual event will honor the life of Austin native and running enthusiast, Darren Lewis. (1973-2011) The race will start at 8:00 am. Water stops and post race refreshments will be provided for all participants. Proceeds from this event will go to a scholarship fund for Austin Cross Country runners and for programs committed to improving mental and physical health in the community. Darren Dash has given out over $33,000 in scholarships to date. Thank you for your support. Please contact us with any questions or comments. Packet pick up will be the morning of the race from 6:30 – 7:45 am at Rotary Centennial Park (307 8th Ave SE, Austin, MN 55912).
Darren Michael Lewis was an amazing man who was loved by more people than he ever knew. He inspired so many of us through his life long passion for running, his work ethic, his commitment to family, and his undeniable ability to live life to the fullest. The third of four children, he was born in Austin, MN. He was the youngest Minnesotan to run Grandma’s Marathon at the age of nine years. He went on to compete at the high school level and ultimately became a solid competitor on the Mankato State Cross Country team. He was a strong, intelligent student and earned a double major in psychology and business. Post college, he returned to Austin and started a successful painting business. Its hard to find a building or home in Austin that has not been touched by Darren’s steady hand. Darren was always up for a challenge and seeking out adventures, whether it was a summer in Colorado, an impromptu camping trip, a tropical vacation, or joining a summer kickball league, but he found his true passion when he took on the role of father. He will always be remembered doting on his beautiful children and making every moment and memory with them count. Darren left this world far too soon, but his infectious smile lives on through his children and he will live in our hearts forever.
Our mission is to provide charitable contributions to assist in the promotion of physical and mental health to the community of Austin, MN.
SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS!
GOLD
- Lewis Outpatient Physical Therapy
- Freedom Fest
- Games People Play
- State Farm Steve Justice
- B & J Bar
- Fox Electric Company
- Total Fitness
- Potach & Mitchell Dental Clinic
- Bollingberg Chiropractic
- Leif Tax Service
- Austin Noon Kiwanis
- Barton Creative Services
BRONZE
- Ameriprise Wealth Management
- Coffee House on Main
- HyVee Foods
- Muzik Muddin
- Austin Park and Rec
- Austin Daily Herald
- Thompson Sanitation
- Innovative Signs
- Hilton Double Tree Torges Live
Scholarship Winners
2013
Madeline Kraemer
Andrew Baker
Clyde Carver
Och udo Cham
Olive McDermott
2014
Carter Steichen
Holden Ourada
Kaitlin Einertson
Keely Zynda
2015
Payton Lewis
Sarah Willrodt
Madison Overby
Ben Walker
Hannah Nelson
Jacob Kraemer
2016
Anna Schara
Zeke Peters
Joseph Kroyman
Miranda Bregeman
Annaliese Oderman
Nathan Drees
2017
Brooke Goligowski
Paiton Schwab
Cennideigh Paters
Mitchell Mayer
2018
Ryan Walters
Jacey Hansen
Abby Lewis
Brock Lawhead
Morgan Hose
Sam Keenan
Henry Hinchcliffe
Eleanor Hinchcliffe
Kayla Christopherson
2019
Rory Bickler
Jacob Venenga
Jack Staben
Kelley Kusick
Aaron Knoll
2020
Alex Petrik
Blake Petrik
Jackson Marsh
Micha Weber
Jayden Lewis
Andrew Neitzel
2021
Kaden Murley
Nadia Vaughn
Kyle Mayer
Jackson Barry
2022
Joe Garry
William Clinefelter
Joseph Hilkin
Thomas Herrick
Cassidy Shute
2023
Riley Ferguson
Grace Vortherms
Lillyan Wiese