MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Saturday’s 5K was a run that carried a much deeper meaning than exercise.
The “5K for Dani J” race was for Danielle Jelinek, who was found dead near her boyfriend Aaron Schnagl’s home in May. Schnagl’s in jail on drug charges.
The event had her name all over it — from the fast tunes to the footwork.
Jan Jelinek said the day had her daughter’s “energy, her spirit, her love for life, her love for running.”
Over the past year, the Jelinek family has been through lows few will ever understand. But on Saturday, they experienced a high that they needed — and one she would’ve liked.
In addition, Kira Trevino’s friends and Mandy Matula’s family showed up, setting up a booth set up for domestic violence.
Trevino’s body was found in the Mississippi after months of being missing and her boyfriend Jeffrey is awaiting his murder trial.
Matula is still missing after her on-again off-again boyfriend David Roe killed himself in the Eden Prairie police parking lot when he was called in for questioning regarding her whereabouts.
The proceeds of the race will go to the Domestic Abuse Project.
“As I like to tell people, we’re running for her and she’s running in heaven with the angels,” Jan said.
