Not that long ago I came across a tweet by F3Nation about this new thing called SpeedForNeed. It was intriguing, so I looked into it further. This F3 Brother, JRRTolkien, had this plan to bring the joy of running to those with disabilities. I grew up with a younger sister with Down Syndrome, and because of her, my family organized, coordinated, and participated in many special needs events (and still do to this day). Because of my sister and seeing the joy when special needs individuals were afforded the opportunity to do something they normally would not be able to, I knew I had to get involved. So I contacted Tolkien and began the coordination to bring the chairs to Hickory.
The Hickory Christian Academy 5k is a well attended race in Hickory and a fairly flat race. This was the race for us. After coordination with the Race Director, not only for our participation, but to find Track Commanders, and Tolkien, the plans were put into motion. Thursday before the race, Plank (and his truck), my 2.0 (Mater), and I, headed to go see Tolkien and get our chariots for the race. A few hours later, we returned to Hickory with the chariots and ready for our training run at RAM on Friday. The training run went well and I could tell the excitement was building with the PAX. We packed up the chariots in anticipation for the race.
RACE DAY
Early before the race, Plank and I arrived to set up the chariots and the booth for the event. A little while later, our first Track Commander arrived, Morgan. Morgan was fitted to the chair and her mother and caretaker started to get excited, and that excitement was boiling over to the PAX. Shortly after Morgan was seated, our second Track Commander, Monica, arrived. Monica was fitted into the chair and a couple of PAX took her for a practice lap around the parking lot. At this point, Monica’s joy and excitement pushed the PAX into a greater level of excitement. We were ready to race.
We all made our way to the starting line in preparation for the race. The Track Commanders had a level of excitement and anticipation that was palpable. As soon as the horn sounded for the start the joy overflowed. Monica was cheering for the race and reaching for high fives and fist bumps and that not only caught with the PAX, but the other runners. Her cheers continued throughout the race. Morgan, though not as verbal, was also giving her signs of approval and we could tell that this meant so much to her. Though I really should let their mother’s tell us their thoughts, because it was for Monica and Morgan, their families, and the community why we do this, not for us.
From Connie, Monica’s mother:
On behalf of Monica thank you for allowing her to participate in a wonderful event. She felt very special with all the attention she received from the runners. Monica may not be able speak for herself but God speaks loudly through her presence in our lives. She has shown to me and my family what unconditional love and trust in God is all about. She trusted your group of runners to push her safely to the finish line without knowing where that line was or what she would encounter along the way. She saw the race as a joy ride and she enjoyed every second of it.
Please send Monica’s love and thanks to all the wonderful folks in HCA and F3 organizations. She had the time of her life!
From Kamy, Morgan’s mother:
Thank you for letting Morgan participate in Hickory Christian’s 5k — she enjoyed it so much and you all did a great job. She was safe and secure in the chair, and she had a smile on her face…especially as you sprinted across the finish line! F3 Speed for Need is such a great opportunity for people who are unable to walk or run to be able to participate in races and feel that joy…thank you to all the guys who gave their time and their strength to make Morgan’s day!
Brother’s of F3, this is why we are here, this is why we workout and build each other up. We are to lead and give back to our community.
Thanks to all the brothers who participated and supported. Thanks to Plank for taking his time to help me transport the chairs to and from JRRTolkien’s, and a big thanks to JRRTolkien for for his vision and drive to start SpeedForNeed. Such an awesome program, and it WILL return to Hickory.
Bing, out!
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