Families came out in costume and ran to benefit the Carmel Clay Education Foundation.

A few ghosts, some super heros, a couple of bag ladies, zombies and princesses, pounded the pavement of Carmel’s Arts & Design District Saturday during the 3rd annual Ghosts and Goblins 5K/2K. More than 900 runners, walkers, and costumed characters of all ages haunted a course running through downtown, starting and ending at Carmel High School.

According to, Diane Schussel-Klein, event chairperson and Carmel Education Foundation board member, the run is a fun way to raise money for the CEFand it takes a dedicated team to pull it off. “We were thrilled to promote student involvement having the CHS student radio station, WHJE, provide sound for the event as well as volunteers from the CHS Key Club and National Honor Society out on the course, at registration and packet pick-up. And a member of the Ambassadors Show Choir sang the national anthem,” said Schussel-Klein. In addition to the student volunteers, several CCS teachers helped out as well as the Rotary Community Corps, and school superintendent, Dr. Swensson.”

Diane Schussel-Klein (left), event chairperson hands out the costume awards with Carmel Clay Schools' superintendent Dr. Swensson.

Andrew Fritz won the 5k with a time of 17:01, followed by John Evelo in 2nd place and Denny Priest in 3rd. In the female division, 12-year old, Kenzi Wilson crossed the finish line first with a time of 20:46, followed by Gabrielle Stephens and Renae Murphy. In the 2k, the top five finishers, 11 and under, received awards. Those speedy goblins were Darren Yates, Chris Perry, Emily Hand, Matthew Moon and Nathan Enfield.

The winner of the elementary school traveling trophy was West Clay for the second year. Participants from West Clay will receive a certificate for a free Orange Leaf frozen yogurt. Carmel Middle won the middle school banner and those participants will also receive Orange Leaf certificates.

“We had over 20 vendors at the wellness fair,” said Schussel-Klein. “I would like to thank the CHS custodial staff who set everything up in the cafeteria and then cleaned up after the event. In addition, we had 2 CCS bus drivers help by driving busloads of course marshals to their stations.”

The event promotes fitness and brings together families in costume as well as benefits the Carmel Educational Foundation, which provides education grants to teachers in the Carmel-Clay school system and scholarships to graduating CEF seniors.