Smile Through the Miles Race
- 5 K run/walk and 10 K run on July 4th in Johannesburg, MI to support the MKSS Fund with net proceeds going to the Louis Groen Nature Preserve for education.
- 10 K start at 8:30 am
- 5 K start at 8:45 am
- Virtual 5 K
Not able to attend? Run a race in your hometown in honor of Mary Kay. We will mail you a race t-shirt.
Mary Kay (Smith) Sklarczyk (MKSS) Fund at the Otsego County Community Foundation
Providing financial support for helping children and young adults understand and appreciate the greater outdoors and support the awareness and fight against breast cancer.
Otsego County Community Foundation,
P.O. Box 344,
Gaylord, MI 49734
View Larger Map
Smile Through the Miles Race, July 4, 2017
Louis Groen Nature Preserve, Johannesburg, MI
- Water stations throughout the course and post race nutrition will be provide
- Prizes for the following age groups (for both male and female) - under 10, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60+ (1st place)
Mary Kay Sklarczyk was born on November 8, 1954 to Glenn and Arlene Smith. Mary Kay grew up in Alpena, MI. She married Donald Sklarczyk, the love of her life, on October 12, 1974 and the couple made their home in Johannesburg, MI and owned and operated Sklarczyk Seed Farm. Mary Kay was a loving mother to Stacy, Amy and Benjamin and a loving Nana to Emma and Anna. Mary Kay enjoyed going for daily walks around the family property, doing activities outdoors, and spending time with her family. She always put others' needs before her own. Her smiles were infectious and with her until her last days.
In April of 2009, Mary Kay was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was crushing news, but she took it in stride and always thought positive though out her battle with cancer. During her fight with breast cancer, she never complained or wanted others to feel sorry for her. Going for walks with her family was a ritual that Mary Kay did up until the final days, even when she could only walk a quarter of a mile. Mary Kay lost her battle with breast cancer on October 30, 2011.
Though her life was taken by breast cancer, her beautiful caring spirit will live on through the stories shared by us all and her smile will live on through her grandchildren, Emma, Anna, Abraham, Morgan, and Dane.
This race is to honor Mary Kay Sklarczyk and the beautiful, caring, loving, and smart woman she was.
It will also be an opportunity to explore and enjoy all the Louis Groen Nature Preserve has to offer which is a unique setting in itself.
Following the race will be the 'famous' Johannesburg Fourth of July parade and festivities.