Growing the Race
Since 2013, the Tug Valley Road Runners Club (TVRRC) has honored those fighting Crohn’s disease with the yearly Kickin’ Butt for Crohn’s Jean Stanley Memorial 5K & 1 Mile Walk. The first ever 5K had 120 people, which was absolutely amazing for Shawn and Tonya Cool, who made the event happen in honor of Tonya’s mom. “Each year we work hard just to make it bigger and better for each person who comes out,” Shawn says.
Things have grown since their first race. In the last race, which was in 2019, they had 220 participants-- almost double the attendance from their first. Many people battling Crohn’s disease themselves come to participate, including some out-of-staters, like Susan Hagle, who drives in from Roanoke, Virginia every year for the event, and Melissa Sanger, who brings an entire group of family and friends with her.
All participants receive an event shirt, a custom finisher medal, and a “DO MORE OF WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY” wristband honoring Scott Poole, who helped make the first 5K happen. Overall awards for men and women’s categories will be offered, as well as age-specific trophies for men and women.
“It’s About Finishing”
Shawn’s favorite award might be surprising. “The favorite thing about the event is our last place trophy,” he says. “It’s known that this is not making fun of the last place finisher. This award means that this person came out and finished what they started, and completed every step the first place finisher did.” For him, this award represents the best part of TVRRC. “It’s not about your time, it’s about finishing. Everyone from first place to last place works hard to finish what they started.”
The 9th Annual Kickin’ Butt For Crohn’s 5K and 1 Mile Walk will take place on July 23, 2021, and will start at 7pm at the Williamson Field House. Pre-registration is available for $20 online, at the Coal House, and Williamson Health and Wellness Center. Same-day registration will be available for $25 from 5pm to 6:30pm. To learn more about this event, check out their Facebook page. To register online, visit here.
Photos from Tug Valley Road Runners Club
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