By ADRIANA ALFARO
On a chilly Sunday morning the Larsen family crossed the finish line with their 3-year-old daughter, Melody and their newborn, Axel, at the Leif’s Legacy 5k Fun Run and Walk in Sea Isle City.
For the past three years the Brian and Jennifer Larsen, of Sea Isle, have hosted the race to commemorate their son, Leif Aleutian, who passed away after being birthed prematurely on Oct. 13, 2019.
“It was a very hard time for us, when a baby needs help I feel helpless. We want to do what we can for our communities,” Jennifer Larsen said. “When you lose someone there is overwhelming support. In the long run, it may not seem like there is a lot of support. For that reason, I want this event to raise awareness and help lift up other families.”
The Sea Isle event came after the Larsens hosted another Leif’s Legacy walk and run for their organization in Alaska, where the Larsen family works throughout the summer.
Brian Larsen, 40, owns and operates a bulkhead and marina construction company in Sea Isle. He works as a commercial fisherman in Alaska during the summer. Jennifer Larsen, 34, works as a biologist for the National Park Service in Alaska during the summer.
A wave of green T-shirts took over the Promenade. Children rode bikes, parents raced with strollers and others followed along at a steady pace.
At 9 a.m., participants gathered at Excursion Park and continued all the way down the Promenade until they reached 57th street.
From there, participants had the option to continue to the beach.
Shore Medical Center’s marketing director Brian Cahill expressed gratitude for the Larsens’ contribution, as well as the marketing connection formed with the Leif Aleutian Foundation.
“This is a great opportunity to bond with local families and the hospital staff,” Cahill said. “Our hearts go out to any family who has struggled with a premature birth.”
Over three years, the Larsens have raised $8,000, which will be donated to two hospitals, Shore Medical Center in Somers Point and the Dahl Memorial Clinic in Alaska.
Cahill, expressed gratitude for the Larsens’ contribution, as well as the marketing connection formed with the Leif Aleutian Foundation.
“This is a great opportunity to bond with local families and the hospital staff,” he said.
