More than 2,000 turn out for I.C. schools fundraiser

IOWA CITY - Two extra legs and a wagging tail may have just given her an extra boost.

Leia, the 6-year old Weimaraner, led the Dorau family pack in the Run for the Schools race among more than 2,000 participants Sunday morning.

“She was the pacesetter,” said Marc Dorau of Coralville.

His wife, Tuyet Dorau, who is on Iowa City school board, said the run, the people, the weather and the cause were all great.

Son Alec, 12, agreed, saying he enjoyed running beside his friends.

Though the number of participants was down nearly 500 runners from past years, the race will still bring in a great amount of money for the schools, said Jacki Brennan, executive director of the Iowa City Community School District Foundation.

Brennan said she suspected the cold weather and the flu kept some people home.

Though the final amount raised this year has yet be calculated, Brennan said the 2008 race brought in around $32,000 between registration fees and donations.

She said the race, a tradition dating back a decade, is unique and challenging because it is designed to appeal to everyone from serious runners to families looking for a fun outing.

“It's merging a little bit of everything for everybody,” she said, noting that there were half-mile, mile, 5K, 10K and half-marathon races to choose from.

Katie Granner, 6, of Coralville, who ran the half-mile, was ready to rest by the end of her race because “it makes your whole legs sore.”

But she said that despite getting a cramp in her side, she had fun.

Her mother, Stacy, father, Mark, and 9-year-old brother Alex said the run was a breeze and said they stuck together.

“I like to support the schools, I like to run, and it's a great way to experience a little physical activity for the whole family,” Stacy Granner said.