File photo by Matt Hamilton/Daily Citizen-NewsThe family of John Bruner -- from left, father Greg Bruner, mother Margie Bruner, sister Megan (Bruner) Nickolai and Megan's then fiancé (now husband) Michael Nickolai -- cross the finish line during the Run for John 5K race in April of 2011. The benefit race, which has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to more than 200 local students, will be run for the final time on Saturday morning at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

DALTON, Ga. — For the past decade, the annual Run for John has honored a love of running, the gift of higher education and the memory of a beloved son whose life was taken too soon.

And even though this year’s 11th running of the race marks the last time the event will be held, the legacy of John Bruner will continue through the endowment of a scholarship fund at Dalton State College.

Bruner, a standout Dalton High School and Georgia College & State University runner, died at age 19 from an undetected heart anomaly while running in a race. Since then, members of his family and of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church have held the annual race with proceeds supporting scholarships awarded to rising sophomores in college.

The final Run for John will be Saturday at 9 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and instead of a structured race with age divisions, this year’s event will have timed 1-mile and 5K fun runs.Registration begins at 8 a.m.

Called a “celebratory” run by organizers, there will be no awards or registration fee this year.

“This is a free event and a showing of our gratitude for the support from this community for the last 10 years,” said John Bruner’s father, Greg. “We want the community to know how thankful we are and celebrate the transition from an event to an endowment to continue the spirit for which the race was established. It is a chance for us to come together one more time and celebrate.”

During the last 10 years, the event which was originally organized by Margie and Greg Bruner, John’s parents, as well as Cathy Blevins at St. Joseph’s has raised money for scholarships that have totaled more than $100,000 and been awarded to more than 200 local students. The Run for John organization has also sponsored youth elementary school track teams in the area.

Another large part of the organization is faith.

“One of the things that was foundational was a letter John had written in his last year of college about his faith,” Greg Bruner said. “It talked about how much his God and faith had helped him adjust to being away from home that first year of college. I wonder how many other college students who are making that transition into a cruel and daunting world consider their faith. It has always been part of the scholarship, all because Margie found a letter, and that too will carry on at Dalton State.”

The new endowment ensures that the spirit of John Bruner will live on, and Dalton State College Director of Institutional Advancement David Elrod said it is an honor to have the endowment as part of the college’s scholarship programs.

“This is a huge statement of support for and confidence in by the Bruner family and St. Joseph’s to establish the Run for John Memorial Endowment at Dalton State,” Elrod said. “We are always grateful for the opportunities for our students and we are deeply humbled and honored they would select the college to honor their son.”

The family has strong ties to the college. Margie Bruner was previously a member of the faculty and was in charge of the college’s first-year experience program to prepare freshmen for college. When the school restarted its athletic program, she was the women’s cross country coach and was named Southern States Athletic Conference coach of the year in 2014 and 2015.

Greg Bruner said the challenges of the first years of college can be difficult and the endowment will allow those who may be struggling to continue their education. That, he said, is a perfect way to honor his son.

“It is an age where really there is a lot of need,” Greg Bruner said. “I was looking at this year’s applicants, and one of the things I was reading was a student was in financial need and didn’t think they could even continue. At this point, really sometimes a make or break in their college career. The personal part of it will remain with the scholarship.”

Gifts to the Run for John Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund can be made at www.giving.daltonstate.edu or by mail to 650 College Drive, Dalton GA 30720.

For more information about the Run for John, visit www.therunforjohn.org.