MENTOR, Ohio — If you've ever driven along Route 2 in Lake County, you've probably noticed the stretch of highway known as Patrolman Matthew Mazany Memorial Highway between Routes 306 and 615.
In June of 2018, Mazany was struck and killed by an impaired driver who fled the scene. Like many in the Mentor community, Melissa Evans was stunned, and felt helpless.
She didn't know Mazany or his family at the time, but she wanted to do something to show her support. So she organized the First Responders 5K to raise money for the Mazany family.
Since then, every September, the race kicks off and supports a different agency related to first responders, such as organizations that help families who lose loved ones in the line of duty. This year, proceeds are going to K9 Heroes 4 Heroes, a nonprofit that provides service dogs to veterans and first responders at no cost.
There's still time to register for the run online. The cost is $30 up to this Saturday, Sept. 7, or $35 the day of the event on Sunday.
It takes place at 8:30 a.m. starting at the Mentor Senior Center on Munson Road, with the race route going around the city. Early registration will be at 7:30 a.m.