The spirit of the late Randy Miner is the inspiration for the 2014 Etna Green Country Run.

ETNA GREEN – “This is the biggest little race you’ll ever run.”

Those were the words of the late Randy Miner, an avid runner and beloved member of the greater Warsaw area. Miner used to head the Etna Green Country Run, a staple of the Etna Green summer festivals of the 1980s and 90s. The race was wildly popular and somewhat unique. In what most fun runs are now in 5K and 10K formats, the Country Run was a one-mile race that drew crowds of 400-500 participants in its heyday.

As the festival lost steam in the 90s, so, too, did the race. As it faded away, the passion for running by Miner did not. One of Miner’s friends, Todd Hoffer, decided to pick up running again after years away from the sport.

Hoffer began to find that itch to run again, and with Miner, got back out on the road. However, last year Miner experienced complications from a reaction to a dye injection during a myelogram. Suffering a massive stroke, Miner passed away.

The incredible spirit Miner had not just for running, but for people and his community, are the biggest losses for those whom loved him.

Wooden clock trophies will be given to the top runners of the 2014 Etna Green Country Run.

“It wasn’t only his fabulous sense of humor and multiple God given talents, it was his zest for life and love for others,” Hoffer said. “He was genuinely happy and made those who were lucky to be around him better people.”

To help rekindle some of that spirit Miner had, Hoffer has decided to resurrect the Etna Green Country Run for 2014. Set to be run next June 7 at Heritage Park in Etna Green, the race will carry the feel of the runs from two decades ago. One of Miner’s loves, woodworking, will be brought into the event next summer, with wooden trophies given to the top runners. There are two races being planned – a one-mile race loosely set for 4:30 p.m. and a four-mile race to start 30 minutes later.

The Kosciusko Runner’s Association will be doing the timing.

Hoffer has set up a web site for the event: https://sites.google.com/site/etracountryrun/

“I really wanted to bring this back in Randy’s memory,” Hoffer said. “It just started out as a one-mile run that was fun for people. Then over time, it became competitive. There were awards. Back then, it was just getting the word out. If he was able to be that successful back then, I can do it now with all the social media and everything that we have today. I’m hoping to bring this back to how big it used to be.”