Community Raises Nearly $20,000 At ‘Movement For Mary’ 5K

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - Community members gathered Sunday for the Movement for Mary 5K Benefit Run and Walk event, to support local fitness instructor Mary Bigelow. 

The event was organized as a fundraiser to help cover medical and travel expenses for Bigelow and her family following her cancer diagnosis and surgery.

The run and walk began and ended at the Santa Maria Valley YMCA.

Participants followed a course that wound through Waller Park in Santa Maria.

Event check-in opened at 7:30 a.m., followed by a group stretch and warm-up at 8:30 a.m.

The 5K run and walk officially began at 9:00 a.m., leading into a cool-down stretch and yoga session at 10:00 a.m.

Organizers announced raffle winners at 11:00 a.m., and prizes featured an organic skincare bundle from Earthworm Apothecary, a Santa Maria Speedway Family four-Pack, and more.

Local on-site vendors at the fundraiser included Woven Coffee, Maya Mexican Restaurant and Cowboy Cravings Sourdough.

Organizers say the turnout far exceeded their initial expectations, and the event raised about $20,000, which will go directly to Bigelow and her family.

The small band of Bigelow’s spin class attendees who started the movement say Mary’s surgery was a success and that her tumor was completely removed.

Bigelow will be recovering at Stanford for the next few weeks.

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