You Run, I Donate…Win Win!

Today I was supposed to be running a 5K race. The Agony of DeFeet starts at 5pm on a Thursday in an elementary school yard in the outskirts of Medford, OR. There are maybe 200 people who compete, each of whom pay $5 or less to enter (early registrants are charged a full $3). The course passes by several horses, the roads are completely open to traffic, and there are no finisher’s medals or race T-shirts.

It is absolutely my favorite race of the year.

Over 40 years ago, my father, Jim Hoyer, founded The Agony of DeFeet to raise funds for PE equipment and playground maintenance at Griffin Creek Elementary, where he was a teacher at the time. I mean, come on, only a dad could have used that bad of a pun for a race name. But he loved running, and even more, was passionate about getting kids to be active and play sports. This event was one way he chose to share that passion, and make a small difference to his school and his community.

My dad passed away in 2001. That year, the school created a 2K companion event for elementary school kids, and awarded the Jim Hoyer Memorial Trophy to the top placing boy and girl. May 28, 2020 would have been the 20th running of that event. My plane ticket was booked and I was looking forward to returning to Medford to run this race and reconnect with the town. Unfortunately, because of COVID, the event has been cancelled.

I was disappointed. But then while I was out on a long run, I had an idea. To continue my dad’s lifelong passion of supporting kids’ physical fitness, and to thank the school for continuing his legacy for all these years, I’ve decided to create a fundraiser event…to which I may be the only donor. But you all play a part! Here’s how you can raise money for kids, just by being active…

For every person who runs 5K between May 28th and Father’s Day (6/21/20), I will donate $5 to the school so that they can continue to purchase playground and PE equipment, and maintain their track and activity fields. AND, if you get an elementary schooler (6th grade or under) in your life to run/walk a 2K, I will donate another $5. 

I will donate up to $1000 to this cause (that’s 200 runners). Please make me give the school my money! You do something good for your health and the kids are supported in their play, fitness, and teamwork skills. WIN WIN!

To ensure your 5K/2K efforts are rewarded with a donation to the school, please post or DM a screenshot of any fitness tracker showing your distance (time entirely optional…it is about doing it, not how long it takes you) to this blog, or to the SWIM BIKE BRUNCH facebook page. I’ll be making a donation each week based on the number of participants. Because I want to encourage many people to participate, there is only one donation per person. But please run as many 5Ks as you want to during this time!

And of course, if you’d like to add your own donation, that would be much appreciated! I’ve started a GoFundMe for this campaign. Please contribute any amount you feel comfortable with.

Thank you in advance for your participation and support. Happy running!