THE KILGORE HALF *Also known as THE RUN FOR THE DEPLOYED*
THE HISTORY OF THE CHRISTMAS EVE RUN
In 2009 Scott was deployed over Christmas. On Christmas Eve of that year he told me he was going to run a half marathon. When I asked him why, he said, because he was deployed and not able to be at home. The following year on a training run for a half marathon he and I were running together, he tells me he was going to do the same thing he did the year prior on Christmas Eve but from home this time. Knowing how our Oklahoma running community responds to a good cause and GOOD TIMES, we invited the Oklahoma City Southside Running Club to join us.
In 2010, our first year as hosts, we had 24 runners. Our second year we grew to 43 runners. Our last year as hosts (2012) in 11 degree temps, we had our best showing yet. 60 runners came to our home ready to run!!!!!
Since our move from OKC, we have hosted an event in Virginia Beach (in 2013), and our good friend Stacey Brown offered to carry on the tradition in Oklahoma City and host the run from her home there. My BFF in Auburn (Seattle), Washington hosts a contingent and our family members who gather in PA at Christmas also try and run. We have a former Okie Friend, also continuing the tradition in her new home state OREGON! We hope to keep it going year after year!
We thank you for caring about your service members, near and far. We appreciate you coming out each year, despite the conditions, in a showing of support for all they do and sacrifice. It's a small gesture, but one we feel is profoundly felt.
REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE, JUST SHOW UP WITH A FOOD DISH, RUNNING SHOES, AND A SMILE!
