News Archives - 1996

The 10th Anniversary "Run for Dave," now renamed "Run for Youth and Families," will be held this Oct. 5-6 as part of the Twin Cities Marathon weekend to raise money for youth and family ministry education at Augsburg College.

What was known as the Run for Dave was first run in 1986 by friends and family of Dave Strommen, an Augsburg graduate and church youth worker who was tragically killed by lightning weeks before that year's Marathon. Since that first year the field of runners "for Dave" has grown, and so have the pledges they have collected for the David Huglen Strommen Endowed Fund at Augsburg.

David's parents, Mert and Irene, founded in 1987 what became the Augsburg Youth and Family Institute. Last December, Augsburg approved a new academic major in youth and family ministry.

Since 1986 a number of competitive marathoners have collected pledges for the Run for Dave. Last year, organizers decided to expand the field and seek participants and pledges for the Saturday 5K Run/Walk. That dual-track approach will be employed again this year so that families, walkers and recreational runners -- as well as racers -- can take part in the events and "run with more meaning," according to Pastor Karsten Nelson, an organizer and promoter of the "Run for Youth and Families."

Those interested in learning how to take part in the "Run for Youth and Families" may contact Pastor Nelson at 612/429-5541, or the Augsburg Youth and Family Institute at 612/330-1624 or fouks@augsburg.edu