Lots of Smiles for Mari's Miles [UPDATE]

Heavy overnight rain stopped just in time for the start of the 2nd Annual Mari's Miles of Smiles race Saturday morning at Norton Elementary School.

Nearly 175 runners joined in the 2nd Annual Race despite the threat of rain. The winner of the 10k race was 10-year-old Brendan Murray of Cheshire.

Donations from sponsors for the non-profit Mari Hall Family Foundation were about $15,000, an increase of around $2,500 from the event in 2010. "A home run considering the weather," Matt Hall, the race organizer, wrote in an email.

Activities for the Family Fun Fest were moved inside the school gym in response to cloudy skies. Shriner clowns entertained the youngsters who also took advantage of a bouncy house and enjoyed apples from Drazen Orchards.

Proceeds from the fundraising event will benefit three groups:

• Darcey School Early Intervention Center

• Easter Seals First Partners

• Autism Spectrum Resource Center, Inc.