Lisa Xagas (left), Heidi Podjasek and Kate Mosher were all smiles early Saturday morning as they prepared to run the Blues on Barton annual 5K event in Oswego’s Churchill subdivision on Aug. 6. The charity race raises money for local families. (Photo by Erika Wurst/for Chronicle Media)

For avid Oswego runner Lisa Xagas, any day you can combine friends, philanthropy and fitness together is a good day — which meant Saturday was a great day for Xagas and her running mates.

The trio, who refer to themselves as the “8 o’clock Group”, were three of more than 200 runners who descended upon the Churchill Subdivision in Oswego for the fourth annual Blues on Barton 5 K.

The timed charity race, founded by local attorney Justin Sather, raises money for struggling families each year, as well as provides 10 percent of all donations to the American Brain Tumor Association, in memory of Sather’s late mother.

This year’s donations will help out the Siebel, Sherrell and Hartigan families. Each family tragically lost a parent within the past year, leaving behind children and spouses.

Outside Churchill Elementary School Saturday morning, supporters wore t-shirts bearing the Hartigan name in memory of Mark Hartigan, who passed away unexpectedly late last month. Others, like the “8 o’clock Group” sported their own matching ensembles, tank tops with hot pink writing: “Cardio? I thought you said ‘Party Yo!'” they read.

The group of “motivated moms” work together to help achieve fitness goals and keep each other accountable, they said. Group member Kate Mosher, a former resident of the Churchill subdivision, was no novice during this year’s Blues on Barton event.

After volunteering during the race’s inaugural event, Mosher has run in it every year since. In fact, it was on these very streets of the Churchill subdivision that she began her fitness journey, losing more than 100 pounds and taking up marathon training. She said it’s important for her to continue to support the event.

“We met through fitness in Churchill. We love to race and run,” Xagas said. “We know the Sathers well and the race is such a great cause and raises so much money for so many people. To combine our fitness with philanthropy is awesome.”

A Storm Trooper cheers on runners as they take off from the starting line during this years annual Blues on Barton 5K charity run in Oswego’s Churchill subdivision on Aug. 6. (Photo by Erika Wurst/for Chronicle Media)

Pint-sized racers scarfed-down snow cones after taking on the Kiddie Fun Run and walked around proudly with medals adorning their necks as their older counterparts prepared for the big event. Then, a wave of runners took their spots at the starting line where storm Troopers, radio hosts and adoring fans cheered them on from the sidelines.

“Pace yourself,” mothers shouted to their teenage boys as they took off with sprints. And while they were off to a fast start, others took more leisurely paces, with dogs and strollers along for the ride, and for the cause.

Sather said what makes Blues on Barton different from most charity races is that those donating can see exactly where their money goes  — into the hands of local families in need.

“When you physically hand a check to somebody who just had their child or parent die, you know you’re really helping them out,” Sather said. “I feel like I’m making a difference.”

With the exception of this year’s total donations, which are not yet calculated, Blues on Barton has raised more than $56,000 since becoming a charitable foundation three years ago.

Runners of the Blues on Barton 5K in Oswego on Aug. 6 wore t-shirts memorializing Mark Hartigan, a retired police officer from Oswego who passed away late last month. A portion of the race’s proceeds will go to benefit the Hartigan family. (Photo by Erika Wurst/for Chronicle Media)

Of those funds raised,  $5,000 has gone to the American Brain Tumor Association, and the remaining $51,000 donated to local families dealing with the loss of loved ones, battling cancer, or other debilitating illnesses.

— Oswego residents run for their neighbors in Blues on Barton —