WATCH: #irun4Karun 5K Run/Walk Set August 15 at Max K. Rodes Park in West Melbourne
By Steve Wilson // July 30, 2026
Will honor the memory of Heritage High School graduate USAF SSgt Tristen Karun Wright
WATCH: Heritage High School graduate Tristen Karun Wright (pictured) was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. He tragically lost his life in 2024. Steve Wilson talked with Tristen’s mom, Novolia Wright, Tristen’s Aunt, Dana Farmer-Biggs, and cousin, Demyia Biggs, about the #iRun4Karun 5K Run/Walk that will take place on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Max K. Rodes Park, 3410 Flanagan Avenue, West Melbourne, Florida, starting at 8 a.m. To register for the 5K, CLICK HERE.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – As a father, I can’t comprehend losing a child. It’s just not the correct “order of life.”
I recently had the opportunity to talk with a mother who lost her child.
Tristen Karun Wright was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. He tragically lost his life in 2024.
Not only did I talk with Tristen’s mom, Novolia Wright, but also with Tristen’s Aunt, Dana Farmer-Biggs, and cousin, Demyia Biggs.
The three of them are spearheading the #irun4Karun 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, August 15, at Max K Rodes Park, 3410 Flanagan Avenue, West Melbourne, Florida, starting at 8 a.m.
Tristen was a 2016 graduate of Heritage High School in Palm Bay. I asked Novolia to describe her son.
She said, “He was a young man after God’s own heart. He talked it, he walked it, and he shared with others.” It did not take me long to see that Tristen was a very special young man.
Proceeds from the 5K will go to the SSGT Tristen Karun Wright Memorial Foundation.
I asked Dana about the origin of the Foundation, and she told me, “Tristen was about the mission; he was about giving back to his community.”
She told me the intent of the Foundation is to keep his legacy alive.
This is the first fundraiser for the Foundation. It’s a perfect fit because Demyia told me, “Tristen participated in track and field, and cross country.”
Demyia is the point of contact for the 5K. To register for the 5K, CLICK HERE.
For information on the SSGT Tristen Karun Wright Memorial Foundation, CLICK HERE.
Article sponsored by Erdman Automotive and Craig Technologies.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia. He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.
Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.
Wilson is especially proud of chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.
He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 26 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.
The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.
