The 2017 kick off event, the Special Olympic Awareness Run (SOAR) is over for this year. A group of
great runners with many from Elkmont ran to combine for 86 miles in two days to all the Limestone County High Schools.
*All of the athletes will be "running"
with us this year in the SOAR run. Got all the names on batons! They are the real deal!! Proud of all of them!
Started from East Limestone and headed toward Ardmore
At Ardmore....
*SOAR Runners take a quick break at Holland's Gin
Running to Elkmont and its getting dark.
* How many Barrys are there?
Elkmont stop:
Tonight I was at Elkmont High School when this group of runners arrived
to the cheers of "We're so proud of you " from three squads of
Cheerleaders, Band members, and other clubs that were present.
They
were welcomed with snacks made by the FACS class, as well as drinks,
fruit, and other things from the other groups. Prior to their arrival
the atmosphere was not one of " I don't want to be here ".
These
students were happy to be there. Once the runners arrived they were all talking
and taking pictures, asking about the route, how long it would take.
It was truly a special event. A tribute to the Special Olympians that
will participate in the events tomorrow at Athens High School where
these runners will end their night long cross county journey.
Kim Wales
*It's not "Finding Waldo"; it's "Finding Barry"
West Limestone is next and now it is really dark.
Can't forget Clements; is it really 3:30 in the morning?
Just keep runnin', runnin', runnin' to Tanner
Making a beeline to Tanner. The sun is starting to come up over the horizon.
On to Athens.... Yes, it is cold but we are happy to be here.
*Where are those GPS directions?
Mark another SOAR race in the books; finished up in Athens @ 8:15.
Another year of SOAR in the books! Thanks to all of the schools for the
hospitality! My home school at Elkmont knocked it out of the park!
Thanks to the many people who contributed time and money! Thanks to the
Limestone sheriff's office for their overnight support and thanks to
Athens City police for getting us through town. Thanks to those special
athletes who bring a tear to my eye every year during the heroes run!
But most of all thanks to my running family...my brothers and sisters
who give so much to this run. We have a lot of fun during the miles and
I always smile when I think about time spent with these selfless
people. I love you for what you do! Have a good one!
Barry Pugh
ADULT RUNNERS:
Gretta Harris, Jennie Barnett, Jessie Pierce, Regina Clem, Barry Pugh, Cindy Witt, Kim Shores, Ann Burrows, Jonathan Spry and Emily Spry.
STUDENT RUNNERS
Alex Armstrong, Chance Bailey, James Walts, Brianna Barnett and Kaylee Varney
DESIGNATED DRIVER AND PINCH RUNNER: Cindy Witt
Special Olympics Opening Ceremony
Today is a great day because I get to go the Special Olympics.
Looking back, I remember the days when a couple of us old timers would
mark a track with field paint at Tanner High School. Today we just get to drive over to Athens High School.
Over the years, one thing has become evident.
It is not what we do for
those children as much as what they do for us. I see students champion
the cause of our students with disabilities. I see runners champion the
cause by running extreme distances.
I see a wide variety of people
wanting to be part of something that makes them feel good inside. I see
people who have humility and compassion through which they get to
experience true greatness. Billy Owens , I think they " get it ".
Mark another SOAR race in the books; finished up in Athens @ 8:15.
No comments:
Post a Comment