POTSDAM -- The 4th Annual Walkin' for Willz 5K Walk/Run to Cure Juvenile Diabetes drew about 200 participants and raised $10,134 for juvenile diabetes research on a day when a severe storm forecast threatened the event and strong winds cut short the musical entertainment.

The 5K Route started in Ives Park and wound through the Clarkson University campus. The event wrapped up just before the heavy rains started.

Walk teams included local college and high school sports teams, fraternities and sororities, family and corporate teams.

To date, the Walkin' for Willz events have raised $96,376.62 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) of Central NY, which serves people from St. Lawrence County with Type 1 or juvenile diabetes.

Entertainment was provided for the fourth year in a row by Cubby T. Clown & Co., and Slightly Twisted, a progressive rock band led by Nick Rycroft of Colton, played for the crowd.

Pepsi-Cola Bottlers of Ogdensburg rewarded the walkers and runners with ice cold Gatorades at the finish line.

Devin Edward (the Cure-iers) of DeKalb, was the highest individual fundraiser for the second year in a row raising over $1,500.

Jared Caskinette and Addie Greene were also major fundraisers.

Best Team T-shirt design was awarded to the Potsdam Sandstoner Girl's Volleyball teams.

The SUNY Potsdam Women's Ice Hockey team volunteered and did an outstanding job by smoothly organizing the days events, including registration, raffles and refreshments.