Miss Thurston County Teen 2024, Emma Adams, has organized a 5K run in honor of missing Oakville girl Oakley Carlson, who disappeared three years ago at the age of 5.
The event, titled “Pinkathon: A fun 5K run/walk for Oakley Carlson,” will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, at the fountain in front of the Washington state Capitol building, located at 103 Capitol Way South in Olympia.
Registration is $35 per person and includes the race, an official Pinkathon shirt and a race bib. There will also be a kids run for younger participants.
Participants are encouraged to wear pink, which is Oakley’s favorite color.
Adams collaborated with Light the Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project to organize the event, which aims “to spread awareness and raise money for the reward fund and investigation of Oakley’s case,” according to an event description.
For more information or to register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/Info/WA/Olympia/Pinkathon5K.
A reward of over $86,000 is available for information leading to Oakley’s whereabouts.
The reward fund is managed by Light the Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project and expires Dec. 6, 2024.
In lieu of the reward not being claimed or extended, the funds would then be used at the discretion of Oakley’s foster parents Jamie Jo and Erik Hiles. Examples of possible uses include a funeral service and headstone if necessary, a college fund, a scholarship in Oakley’s name, a trust fund for Oakley’s siblings, etc.
More information on Oakley’s case and opportunities to help with the search effort can be found at https://justiceforoakley.wixsite.com/home.
Anyone with information that could aid law enforcement in their search for Oakley is encouraged to contact the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office 360-249-3711 or sodetectives@graysharbor.us.
