Evan Sebenius, a 28-year-old Carnation man, died Sunday, Sept. 21, while running the “Beat the Blerch” half-marathon at Tolt-MacDonald Park.

A crowd funding site, http://www.gofundme.com/RunEvanIn, has been set up to help his family, and a 5K fun run is planned for Sunday, Nov. 2 in Tolt-MacDonald Park, in his memory.

Sebenius had never run a half-marathon before, his father, Frank, stated on the website, but had “trained diligently with a personal trainer,” as well as watching what he ate. Near the end of the race, he collapsed, and despite receiving emergency medical attention, died.

The fun run is planned to “Run Evan in.” Registration is required, but organizers plan to make the race free for participants. Donations of new or used but still useful running shoes will be collected at the race. Visit the website for updates, or find the Evan Sebenius Memorial Run on Facebook.

Sebenius and his brothers were developing an orchard and vineyard on their parents’ property in Carnation. The family intends to use the memorial funds raised to complete the project, and install beehives.

A first-time event, the “Beat the Blerch” race was a 10K, half and full marathon run commemorating the release of author and cartoonist Matthew Inman’s new book.