Running a race and organizing a race are two waaaaaaay different things. Okay, this seems obvious, right? A runner just shows up on race day, maybe has some nerves, complains about and/or compliments the way things are set up and then goes on about his lovely Saturday morning. An organizer on the other hand, shows up 6 months in advance, full of nerves and anxiety and naivete, frets over the details that she KNOWS people will complain about and/or compliment, and then spends the countdown to race day according to a timeline of checklists that seem to get longer the more she thinks about them!! I will never again take for granted the thought, preparation, and organization that goes into a race-big or small!! What a learning process this has been!
  When we first decided that we actually wanted to make this happen; that God laid it upon our hearts not to just TALK about, but to actually DO, our first thoughts (as runners) were: "ok, what's the course going to be?" The course is everything!! Not too boring, not too repetitive, not too hilly, not too flat, not too crowded, not too spread out, not something everyone does all the time, not something no one does ever...the list goes on and on!! Heather and I have run quite a few races together, and we usually agree on what is a "good" course and what is a "bad" course. (good=flat and fast, bad=hilly and slow, duh...just kidding. sort of.) We cross-referenced the certified courses in Lawrence with the race calendar and came up with one that we both just LOVE to run. Racing, training, doesn't matter, we both love it!! Don'tcha want to know where it is?! You're dying to know, right?! Can't take the suspense?! REGISTER FOR THE RACE AND WE'LL TELL YOU!! :)
  Heather has been networking her little behind off, trying to get publicity, sponsors and prizes lined up for this inaugural Run to Free 5k. She has really gone out of her comfort zone to talk to strangers, ask questions, and spread the word. God has granted her the words she needs to know (and the ability to fake it when she doesn't) to get us in with some amazing people at Gary Gribble Running Sports, KC Running Company, Hip Mama jewelry and Red Dogs running group! I think with publicity like this, we can make a major contribution to the trafficking efforts!! I can't wait to see the crowd God pulls together for this event. We have a really long list of businesses and individuals that we hope will want to be involved, and can't wait to keep you updated as they join the team!
  The United Nations just recently posted a report from their crime-fighting office that an estimated " 27 million people across the globe are victims of human trafficking at any one time...and only one out of 100 victims is ever rescued" (humantrafficking.org). These sobering statistics are not only global, but also hit close to home: the US government estimates there are between 14,500-17,500 people trafficked into the United States each year (freetheslaves.net). Most of these are in urban areas, but the atrocities are reaching across metropolitan boundaries. Since these crimes are, by nature, hidden, secretive and deeply rooted, our government and law enforcement doesn't have accurate research tools or preventative and proactive measures to keep up with this growing epidemic. It is estimated that less than 10% of police departments across the United States have an equipped, dedicated trafficking force in place. (humantrafficking.org)
  We truly believe God has a plan and a purpose for bringing human trafficking to our hearts and minds.  Heather and I are dedicated to donating our time, effort, prayers, and financial resources to making a contribution to this cause. We hope that you will join us in a walk (or run!) of faith and trust in God's promise to love, care for, and protect His people. If just ONE person is helped by this run, if just ONE person prays to God to end these atrocities, if just ONE person learns more about this cause, then all of our planning, all of our fretting, all of our checklists will be successful. By the grace of God. This Labor day, let's do a labor of love.