Thousands of people raise money at Waldo Waldo 5K

Waldo was spotted in downtown Colorado Springs Saturday.

Thousands of people dressed as Waldo participated in the annual Waldo Waldo 5K walk and run.

“The first thing we did last night was bust out one of the books and kind of refresh our memories,” Colorado Springs resident Tanya Burns said.

The event is meant to raise money for Waldo Canyon Fire relief.

Two lives were taken, more than 300 homes were destroyed and millions of dollars worth of damage happened because of the Waldo Canyon Fire in 2012.

Organizer Chelise Foster said she started the event because the canyon use to be a place for her to get away.

“I would hike up there all the time as a kid, ti was that we just did every weekend and we loved it,” she said.

Participant Mikell Humpert said she will never forget being evacuated during the Waldo Canyon Fire three years ago.

“We had whatever we had with us in our suitcases. We went to a friend’s house and stayed a week,” she said.

More than $100,000 was made at the event.