Hart Main Street renames race to honor Coach Tompkins.

HART –The Hart Healthy Labor Day 5K run has been renamed the Rich Tompkins Memorial Race in memory of Rich Tompkins, who passed away suddenly in late July.

“He leaves such a gaping hole behind,” said Hart Main Street Manager Ingrid Pearson. “He always helped out behind the scenes, made sure that the race course was exactly 5 kilometers long, and that the route was well marked.”

The “Hart Healthy Labor Day 5K” has been renamed “The Rich Tompkins Memorial Race.” We invite everyone to come and run in Coach Tompkins’ memory on Labor Day, Monday, September 7th.

Runners from Fremont and Hart alike were inspired by Rich. He was the Executive Director of the Michigan High School Coaches Association, and also was inducted into the Muskegon Coaches Hall of Fame, Michigan Coaches Hall of Fame, National High School Coaches Hall of Fame, High School Fremont Athletic Club and the Michigan State University Varsity Club.

“We are so grateful to Rich’s widow, Carole, for allowing us to honor Rich in this way,” said Pearson. “It just seemed like the best way we could pay tribute to Rich, who was such a great friend and mentor to so many. He will be missed. Mrs. Tompkins has asked that Harvey Weaver shoot the starter pistol in Coach’s memory. Mr. Weaver was Rich’s coach before ‘Coach’ was a coach. This will be a moving and memorable moment for us all.”

The 5k is a US Track & Field Association certified race. There is also hand cycling, a Youth Mile, and a 2.3 mile Bridge Walk immediately following the 5k start. Races begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 7 with registration beginning at 6:30 a.m.

To register, please visit http://www.goracego.com/Search/event.aspx?id=31061 or call Hart Main Street at 231-301-8449 for more details.