WILL'S RUN (Okemos - 2020 - 5K - Husband and Son Run During Injury)
Will's Run caught my eye on Running in the USA because of it's name. I thought of our Will. I read about the race and was deeply saddened about the circumstances behind it. A 10 year old boy had tragically passed away less than five months after getting a brain stem tumor diagnosis. Will Goodale had dreams of becoming a police officer, loved lemon heads, sports and driving his dad's golf cart. He was a little boy with a big heart and personality. He was the only child of his parents Shane and Ronda. The loss of an only child is exceptionally devastating. Instead of letting their grief consume them Shane and Rhonda created the Will Goodale Memorial Foundation. The foundation holds the annual Will's Run that began in 2019. Proceeds from the run are given as scholarships to two students enrolled at Michigan Police Academy so other kids can fulfill the dreams that Will had of becoming a police officer.
Run events in general help a lot of organizations and non-profit groups to better communities and give aide. I was really touched by Will's Run. Through emails back and forth I got to know Will's father Shane Goodale. I consider him a friend now. Will's run was originally scheduled in the Spring and postponed to October. I had asked if they would give refunds if the run was cancelled but later told Shane to keep our registration fees for the scholarships if the run couldn’t be held. Luckily, Will's Run stayed an in-person race this year. I had already run in Okemos at The Polar Bear Run earlier this year. It was not a new city, but a run I needed to be at.
When I visit cities multiple times I get the opportunity to see different parts of the cities. Will's Run ended up being at Meridan Township Hall, the exact same start and finish from the Polar Bear Run. It made me feel better knowing I had run in the same area. It wasn't as big of a loss with my fractured toe. Luke was already registered and I had successfully switched my registration to Jason. There was a nice playground by the pavilion that kept Ryan and Will busy. It was close enough that Corky and I could sit at the finish and keep and eye on Ryan and Will while waiting for Luke and Jason.
Before the run started we met Shane and his wife Rhonda. The weather turned out great for them. Everything had fallen into place. The start line-up was along Marsh Road. A news company was present for the start and finish. Shane gave a heart-warming speech before runners started. He said a couple runners from past years had felt a wind go by them on the course and he believed it was Will. Runners started in small groups or with families 10 seconds apart. The course went into and around Nancy Moore Park with a long finishing stretch down Marsh Road. It was almost identical to The Polar Bear run in January. Luke beat Jason with a time of 33:21. Jason came in at 42:37. Corky enjoyed sitting at the finish line waiting for them. We got to cheer for finishers.
After the race Jason and Luke passed out in the grass. We met an awesome family that had talked with Jason and Luke in the start line. Brandon, the father offered to stay ahead with Luke so he wouldn't finish alone. Brandon's son ending up finishing with Luke. It was Brandon and his son's first official 5K and they both placed second in their age groups! Brandon had an amazing injury recovery story. While carrying water buckets on his farm he slipped on ice herniating three discs and bulgding two discs in his back. Due to nerve damage and a messed up left leg Brandon had to use a cane to walk in 2017. In 2018 once healed, Brandon broke his right leg while cutting down a tree. He took to cycling to keep active. Cycling was easier with his injuries and helped prepare Brandon for running. He started running at the age of 44. He still cycles 12 miles to and from work. Brandon’s story was another truly inspiring story like that of my friend Mike from Saint Clair Shores. I love meeting new inspiring people at runs. Brandon had a big family like ours and took a picture with us before leaving. I hope to see them at a run near Lansing again. Their concern and care for fellow runners speaks volumes of how big their hearts are.
Shane and Rhonda should be so proud of the run they have done successfully for two years in honor of their son. It is so much work putting on a live racing event. Shane and Rhonda included all kinds of unique details into Will’s Run. They had cardboard cutouts of Will's face and his caricature near the beginning and end of the course. Will's picture and story were on the table by registration. The age group medal lanyards were tie-dye because it was Will's favorite pattern. I love tie-dye too. They gave out gaiters with Will in his police hat to all participants.
Things I take from Will's Run:
1. I really enjoyed emailing and meeting Shane. This run was very meaningful to a family and community that misses a boy that got called to Heaven too early. A tree was planted for Will at his Elementary School in Haslett and a kickball field has a sign about Will by it because he loved Kickball.
2. I got to talk with the race director from Run Thru Hell, Harrison Hensley. I went up to him to tell him how inspiring he was to me. We ended up talking for some time. I couldn't believe his story about the Boston Marathon back in the 70's and how cheap the race admission was. I learned that he eats sardines daily and he is quite the world traveler. It amazes me seeing him out at so many running events across the state at 88 years old. Run Thru Hell is one of my favorite events. I love that he gives out trophies instead of medals five deep every year.
3. Jason got first place in his age group for his first 5K. Luke got first place in his age group of three participants. Shane ended up mailing their age group medals to us when we couldn’t make it back out to Lansing to pick them up.
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