Kansas Lyme Fighters 5K
Lawrence KS - June 11, 2011
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| Team MommaLyme from Wichita ran for Brandi, a young mother with Lyme disease. She ran also, an incredible feat for being so ill (Peninah Blumhagen photo) |
We had incredible support from the Lawrence community. 30 area businesses gave money and prizes for racers and fundraisers.
Jason Kinder from Garnett, Kansas ran well. He was the overall male winner of the 5 K
We had two young women, Kelsey Rowe and Mary Lawlor of Topeka who won the Overall female medals, Time: 23:00. They crossed the finish line at the same time. They represented what people with Tick borne diseases must do to survive- to help one another through the struggles and finish the race holding hands.
We had an Overall Master's Male and Female Winners. Beth Bockrath, age 50, trained with the program called, "From the Couch to 5K from Runner's World. This was her first 5 K race, and she won!
Several racers ran the 5K for the first time and did well.
Overall, it was a wonderful family experience with activities for adults and children. There were awards for the overall winners, and medals for every 10 yr age group. The fundraising teams did a fabulous job and raised over $3,500 in pledges to help individuals and families access medical testing and treatment according to the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society guidelines (www.ILADS.org). The Oscar Nominated Medical Documentary, "Under Our Skin" is available now on Netflix and will be aired on PBS June 19th at 9:30 pm. It explains the plight of people with tick borne illnesses who are denied long term antibiotics for debilitating, and sometimes fatal bacterial infections from tick attachments. Burt Yasso has a video on our race website explaining his struggle with Lyme disease. It is very inspirational. www.kansaslymefighters.webs.com
Peninah Blumhagen BSN, MA
Kansas Lyme Fighters, Inc.
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| Beth Bockrath, Overall Female Master's Winner, Lawrence, KS - 32:13 |
Jason Kinder, 24, Garnett, KS Overall Male Winner - 17:22 | Denton Griest, Overall Male Master's Winner (Age Graded), 48, Ottawa, KS - 23:00 |