About 1,200 people turned out for Sunday's second annual Laura Szendrei 5 & 10K Walk, Run and Roll.
The fundraiser is in memory of Laura Szendrei, the 15-year-old Burnsview Secondary student who was attacked in Mackie Park in September 2010 and died of her injuries.
Sunday also marked the official unveiling of the memorial garden at the high school.
Brian White said 570 people signed up on the morning of the event, which he said caused a lot of stress for organizers.
He also said it will be a few days yet before they have a tally of money raised.
The money collected will benefit the Laura Szendrei Memorial Scholarship Foundation Society.
Last year's run raised about $40,000, which was enough to set up an ongoing scholarship at Kwantlen Polytechnic University exclusively for Delta students.
"What we're hoping to do this year is partner with another institution for another scholarship," said White, adding the scholarship will give Delta students more choice in where to study.
"As this annual event goes on, we're committed to looking for additional institutions to partner with," he said, adding the goal is to grow the number of post-secondary schools that can offer scholarships in Szendrei's name.
Notable donations this year included a $5,000 phone-in donation by a man from Alberta. White said the man has four daughters close to the same age as Szendrei who also play soccer and the story struck a nerve with him.
A woman bought a T-shirt at the event and paid a whopping $850 for it.
White said the continuing community support, particularly by sponsors, was overwhelming. He noted businesses offered to help, instead of being asked by organizers.
The memorial garden at Szendrei's school is the other beneficiary of the annual event.
"We want to add an arbour to the garden," said White, as well as concrete picnic tables.
There will be more features added as time goes on.
The young man charged in Szendrei's murder is set to start on Aug. 13.
He cannot be named because he was 17 years old at the time and so his identity is shielded under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
He's charged with first-degree murder and, if found guilty, may be sentenced as an adult.
twitter@carolyncooke1
ccooke@thenownewspaper.com