1st Annual RODS Racing "Race for Maggie"

Since forming RODS Racing, we have been kicking around the idea of holding a race as a way to create awareness and funding for one of the children we are advocating for.  The task seemed daunting to say the least.  Then I had a great experience.

Early one morning at the beginning of the summer I was out running.  It was just getting light and as I was coming down Linder road.  I was surprised to see another runner coming up the road the other way.  Then I saw another.  After another few seconds more runners came.  There must have been 25 plus that morning running together.  As we passed I was inspired by this group.  You could tell they were all doing their best making their way up Linder hill and getting a good workout.  I wondered who had organized the group and what their plans were.  Then I saw my answer.  In the very back shouting words of encouragement I saw Angela Redding. 

Angela lives in my neighborhood and is infamous for "getting things done".  She has created a reputation that whenever somebody has a big project, they call on Angela for help.  I once participated in an "Amazing Race" throughout Boise with 15 other couples all organized by Angela.  Andrea and I once had an amazing evening along with a dozen other couples filled with Five Guys burgers and high speed Nascar go carts for the guys and a stretch limo, incredible hors d'oeuvres, and roses for the gals.  We all met up in the end for a live concert by Tyler Stenson all for a whopping cost of $30 a couple and all pulled off by Angela.  Remember the RODS Racing event with the Snow Shack, yep, the brainchild of Angela.  So when I saw this running group that morning I wasn't surprised to see it was organized by Angela. 

I spoke with her later that day and told her my idea about organizing a race for the RODS orphan.  She had actually organized a small race for the running group the year before that turned out amazing.  She thought about it a day or two and called me back ready to make this happen.  We've been working out the details this summer and are ready to roll! 

We're fortunate that this event will not only be a great fundraiser for Maggie, our current RODS Orphan, but it will also serve as the Eagle Scout project for two youth in our neighborhood, Matthew Hansen and Spencer Nelson.  We are lucky to have them helping us out. 

Our plan is get our feet wet this year and learn the ropes with all of the permits, etc that are required.  Our goal is to have 100-150 runners participate.  We'll be having a few different events that day, a 5k, 10k and Half Marathon as well as a 1 mile kids fun run.  We want to keep the registration fee as low as possible at $20 per person for the 5k, 10k, and Half and $5 per person for the kids fun run.  We also provide will provide race entries for the entire family for $50.  All of the 5k, 10k and Half participants will receive a RODS Racing shirt in their race packet. 

The event will be held on September 8th.  You can read more as well as register online by going to the RODS Racing website. 

All proceeds will be going towards the adoption costs of Maggie.  Sponsors will be huge in helping with the costs to make sure we can donate as much as possible to Maggie.  If you are interested in learning about the different levels of sponsorship available, please contact me.  You're company logo will be on the Race T as well as be given other advertising opportunities. 

Special thanks to everyone helping to make this a great first event!  We hope to see you there.