Sunday, August 13, 2006, a few hours after the last bands had packed away their gear from the Midwest Music Summit, runners assembled on Compton Street, just south of Broad Ripple Avenue, for the start of the first Sunflower Market Broad Ripple Village Classic 5K/10K. The event was organized by the Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA) and Ken Long Associates. "It was so heartwarming to see all the smiling faces from participants - young and old," said Ellen Morley Matthews, president of the BRVA. "It was exciting to have Kenyan runner Ernest Kimeli at our event. He came in first place and I hugged him after I presented him with the award! It was also great to see participants in so many divisions (age categories). We had a first place finisher in each of the divisions 64-69, 70-74, and 75+."

Ellen made it clear that the success of this event was due to the support of the businesses of Broad Ripple. Sunflower Market was the title sponsor, and supplied healthful snacks for participants afterwards. The Running Company provided valuable prizes in many categories; KeyBank was also a large donor. The other businesses that sponsored were Average Joe's, Broad Ripple Tavern, Chelsea's, Chumley's, G. Thrapp Jewelers, Landsharks, Marigold Clothing, Midtown Grill, National City Bank, Noodles & Company, Old Pro's Table, The Bungalow, The Red Room, and The Vogue. Ellen also expressed the BRVA's appreciation for the use of Broad Ripple High School's facilities for runner check-in. Not only did Greg Allen, the new BRHS campus administrator, help with the event, he also participated in the run - finishing 123 out of 246.

Sunflower Market has agreed to sponsor next year's 5K/10K, and is working with the BRVA on ideas to expand the event's activities for 2007.