The 1st annual "Running for Recovery from Addictions" 5k/10k run/walk Saturday in honor of Sean D. Howard was so successful that organizers are already planning next year's event.

Within a month Cindy A. Bevens, case manager with the Watertown Urban Mission's Bridge Program, will announce who the 2nd annual event will be named in honor of.

Mr. Howard, 23, Adams Center, died July 1 when he lost control of his pickup after had had been drinking.

The Bridge Program hosted the race/walk to raise awareness of recovery from drug and alcohol addictions. More than 100 people volunteered and 179 entered the run/walk.

Mary M. Morgan, Urban Mission director, said organizers would like to see participation double next year. Salvatore J. Ciulo, Bridge Program director, said he'd like to see school districts participate in the 2009 race, scheduled for May 2.

Although a total hasn't been calculated yet, money raised from Saturday's event will go toward drug testing supplies, trainings and other purposes for the Bridge Program.

The Bridge Program serves criminal courts in Jefferson County and is funded by the state Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives. Nonviolent offenders who are referred to the program in lieu of serving jail time must complete supervised rehabilitation plans.