Sunday's Race Honors Episcopal Academy Student

NEWTOWN SQUARE–This Sunday, almost 1,000 teachers, students, and community members will run, walk—and maybe even bounce—at 's Fourth Annual . The event, which includes a 5K run, 1-mile walk and kids fun run, commemorates the life of Michelle Deasey, a third-grader at Episcopal who passed away in 2007.

"Her spirit, her athleticism, her outgoing personality–she really embodied lots of the qualities of Episcopal," event co-coordinator Karen Ernst said.  "Mind, body and spirit: Michelle really embodied all three of those."

Previous to 2007, Episcopal had already held an annual fall 5K run to raise money for Episcopal's Parents' Association, Ernst said. When Michelle passed away suddenly in 2007 however, coordinator Dan McCormick went to the head of school to suggest that the event be held in Michelle's honor.

"Michelle was athletic and into running," Ernst said. "We thought, we are already holding this event, and [to commemorate Michelle's life] would really add a lot more to the event and make it more meaningful."

The head of school agreed. And since 2008, the event has been going strong. Michelle's father Bill Deasey as well as Meg O'Grady and Candance Gant, have been integral in coordinating the event, Ernst said.

"We're never at a loss for volunteers for the event," she said. "We have a lot of student volunteers—our water polo and cross-country teams, a group from Great Valley High School...it's really been a great community building experience."

In the past three years, the event has raised a total of $77,000.  A portion of the money raised through the event is put into a scholarship fund in Michelle's name, given to an Episcopal Academy Lower School student each year who shares Michelle's high academic achievement, athleticism, and sportsmanship. The rest of the funds support the Episcopal Academy Parents' Association.

Michelle's Miles will be held on Episcopal Academy's campus on Sunday morning, Oct. 2.

Refreshments will be provided after the races with other food available for purchase.

Prizes for the top male and female finishers in each category and post-race family events—including a moonbounce for the kids—are all part of the fun.

• Registration: 7:30-8:30 a.m.
• Kids Run ($10): 9 a.m.
• 5K Race ($25): 9:20 a.m.
• 1-Mile Walk ($10): 9:25 a.m.

A family pass is also available for $60 and a friends and family package—including a race day family photo, cookbook, shopping bags, T-shirts for family members and more—for $250. For more information, visit the Michelle's Miles website.

Ernst said she'd recently mentioned to Michelle's mom, Donna, that if looking at the event website or email, the name could just as easily be read "Michelle Smiles."

"I think [on this day each year] Michelle would be so happy to see that her family, friends and classmates still come to the event every year to honor her," Ernst said.