Lake Zorinsky that is. The next three weekends will find my beloved dojo filled with good works by good people. Team Nebraska has long been committed to doing more than just racing. The leadership of the club shares my passion for giving something back through this sport that after all is nothing more than putting one foot in front of the other, quickly. Our Community Outreach Programs (COP?) have become a backbone of the club’s mission statement. Giving to others, there is no greater gift to yourself. With that in mind here are what we have on tap coming up:
The 2nd Annual Jingle Bell Run will be held at the Lake Zorinsky Boat Ramps starting at 1:00 pm on Saturday, Christmas Eve. This is our fundraiser for the Open Door Mission, helping those in our community that have been dealt (or drawn) a bad hand in life. We will host a go-as-you-please with distances of 1 mile, 4.95 (east loop), and 7.495 (full loop). We will have our clock up and running if you want to get a measure of fitness, and the orange marks you will see are part of my certified course. But really it is about participation. Entry is either $10 or a donation of new or gently used hats/gloves/blankets/jackets/etc. Feeling warm inside about keeping others warm, nice. Hot Chocolate, thank you Jody Green for the donation, and Sunrize Donuts will be served.
The 2nd Annual Hair of the Dog Run will also be held at the Zorinsky Boat Ramps, Sunday, January 1st, same 1:00 start time. This event is our fundraiser for the Food Bank of the Heartland. If you saw last night’s news you know they were hit with a $100K theft earlier this week, so very sad for a group that does so much good in our community. The run will be the same format as the Jingle Bell Run, thanks again to Jody & Sunrize for the treats. Entry fee is $10 or a non-perishable food item donation. Their shelves are more bare than usual this year, hope you can come out and help feed our less fortunate neighbors.
Continuing a tradition we started in 2008, we are proud and pleased to announce that we will host a fundraiser for our USATF Nebraska Association Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifers on Sunday, January 8th, again starting at 1:00 pm. Same start location at the Zorinsky Boat Ramps. Bridget Easley and Kaci Lickteig will be travelling to Houston next month but will be going on their own dime. Airfares have skyrocketed and hotel rooms are at a premium. This is a great chance to help these two talented young ladies reach the finish line in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center on January 14th. Same format as the above two events except this time you’ll get the opportunity to run some with Nebraska’s finest female marathoners. Maybe even get a picture or an autograph if you’d like. Team Nebraska will be the official host and as a 501 (c) 3, donations you make are tax deductible. Proceeds will be split evenly between Bridget and Kaci.
We will also use this opportunity to promote Nebraska USATF and the Excellence it stands for. With 2012 being an Olympic Trials year we already have 3 other Nebraska Association athletes qualified in their specialties of Track & Field. David Adams-Steeplechase, Chris Tegtmeier-Race Walking, and Aubrey Baxter-Hammer Throw, all competing for Team Nebraska, have the necessary marks and will be in Eugene this summer to take on America’s best.
Tis the season!
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