The annual pie run took place bright and early today, Thursday November 23, 2017. The pie run is an annual tradition put on by the Bakersfield Track Club where runners in the community go out to section 7 of Hart Park starting at 6:00 a.m. and bring a sweet treat to enjoy each others company.
"It started about 30 years ago, with about seven guys who thought this would be fun to get together on Thanksgiving morning and maybe burn some calories before they go and eat 2000 calories," said Margaret Patteson with the Bakersfield Track Club.
However, among the abundance of pumpkin pies, cherry pies, and even coffee, hearts were a bit heavier as participants remembered the pie run's founder.
On November 14, 2017 the creator of the pie run, John Rous, was killed in a collision as he cycled on Old Alfred Harrell Highway.
Despite Rous no longer being around to join the event, his son David Rous said a couple words before runners took off. Some participants reminisced about Rous and all he had done for the event as they finished their run and ate their pie.
