Run4TheKids Annual 5K race 5-14-22

On Saturday, May 14, 2022 team Run4TheKids hosted our annual 5k to raise money for St Jude. For 7 years we had our race on the Longleaf Trace (off public roads). This year we changed it up and had our race starting at Thames Elementary. The course ran through some older neighbors in Hattiesburg such as University Heights and Jamestown-Lincoln. I was very nervous about it being on the public roads as a race director. I know most races are on the roads, but as a director it’s so much more to worry about verses the Trace. I needed 8 or so course monitors to be at busy road intersections. My team and some pine belt pacers really stepped it up and helped. I had worried all week leading up to the race and was pretty stressed. But you know what… God always has a way to show you why he’s put you where you are ….

We had right at 180 registered and 142 finish the race. Talk about a come back after Covid years! The people were amazing and excited. I received so many comments on how they all loved the new course. We even had people who live in the neighborhood tells us how much they enjoyed watching the runners. It truly was a great morning.

Luca, who I met my first year running as a hero for Sr Jude … that’s 10 years ago… was once again as our race. He was a patient of St Jude. Or I should say is a patient. For many of you, you know St Jude follows these patients for life studies and follow ups. They do amazing things. Luca is currently cancer free . He did the 5k with his parents and grandparents yesterday! It was magically watching him come across our finish line. It reminded me of why I started the team and made me feel quilty for stressing all week over the race.

Then after the race my daughter, DIL and I went to eat. We were at a super busy restaurant. We had to wait an hour for a table. As we were sitting, a guy approached us and asked about our St Jude attire. He told us he was from Hernando, Ms and that his daughter was a patient of St Jude. He kept thanking us for helping St Jude. We met his daughter who is now 26 and cancer free sitting at their table .

I can’t thank my team and volunteers enough for yesterday. God always reminds me when I’m feeling like it’s just too much work and stress that he’s got me. I need to trust more. The kids of St Jude are trusting us to help them by raising money so that their families don’t have to stress and worry during very difficult times in their lives. As Danny Thomas said, “No child should die at their dawn of life”. Let’s keep working for those discoveries and cures by raising money to help. .

I want to give a shout out to my workers …. Sunshine Roberts Smith Krista Hyatt Lyndie Lyon Frank Barrett Nestor Raul Anzola Jennifer Buckhalter Felicia Allen-Bass Penny Pruitt Smith Erin Brown Whitney Wood Wanda Shoemake Janis Tant Cook Julie Sumrall Jane Kersh Dan W Vega Rod Simmons Renee Bisnette I hope I didn’t leave anyone out.

Thank you to Christy Christie Moss for opening the bathrooms.

Thank you to Southern Race Timing for always doing our timing and just giving up your morning to be there to help us!!

Thank you to Rod, Frank, and Nestor for taking lots of pictures!!

And thanks to McKenzie who stepped up and sang our National Anthem after the other person canceled on me to go to the beach. . You did amazing!!!

And thank you to Sunshine for always making our medals! We try to cut as much cost as possible so that our race proceeds go to St Jude so sunshine has always made our medals and never wants reimbursed for the materials. .

Also Chris Karns for always making our shirts! Every year he does an amazing job. I tell him kind of what I’m thinking and he makes a design come to life. We’ve had some awesome shirts. The Print Press in laurel, MS

And I can’t forget our amazing sponsors!! Kohler … thanks for the refreshenents, the donations, and the workers you support to come run our race. Raising Canes! Oakatoma logging, and Ronnie and Be Freeman.

My fav part was getting a pic with Luca after the race. and honestly just seeing so many smiling faces. God is good. .

Here are a few pics:

Me and Luca! I first met this kid when he was like 3 years old. So happy to see him growing up and being cancer free now! Thanks to St. Jude!

Luca with his parents and grandparents

What a great start line picture that Rod captured!

Luca coming in with his grandparents. 💓

Medals and Magnets that Sunshine made.

We had to add Nestor to the girls pic... Nestor, Misty, Me, Michelle, Felicia, and Penny

Felicia, Misty, Me, Michelle and Candy... Thanks to Felicia & Penny working road crossings and packet pickup!

MY PPRF girs.. Felicia, Misty, Me, Michelle and Penny

Team members... Me, Frank, Lyndie, Sunshine & Krista

Miss Coffee Runners