Run Sober Drive Sober 5K BY KEVIN RUCH CAMP HILL, PA--The inaugural Run Sober Drive Sober 5K was held on September 24. Near ideal conditions brought a turnout of supporters that far exceeded 125 people. The course is a flat and fast out-and-back course that winds through the suburbs of Camp Hill. My son Hollywood (if you met him you would appreciate how fitting that name actually is) was the inspiration for this race. Hollywood is only nine years old, but he’s already had two gut-wrenching experiences most people would prefer to avoid. Two years ago, he was injured in one alcohol-related crash and narrowly missed being injured in another. No parent wants to receive a call from the State Police that their child is in the emergency room and that their condition is unknown. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how one views such a situation, my son lost six of his primary teeth in the first crash. The alcohol-related crashes have motivated Hollywood to bring attention to the dangers of drinking and driving. The inspiration for Hollywood’s activism was the movie Pay It Forward. In the film, a history teacher challenges his students to come up with an idea that will change the world. One boy decides to do a good deed and thereby create a ripple effect by asking the beneficiaries of his kindness to “pay it forward” by helping others. Hollywood asked my wife and I to help him put on a fundraiser that would benefit Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Given my background in the sport of distance running (’92 Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier), it was decided that a road race was in order. The event was a huge success. Approximately $1,200 was raised for MADD. More importantly, all of the event participants, readers of the local paper which promoted the race, and FOX 43 News viewers were exposed to Hollywood’s story and message of hope. The concept of “pay it forward” may have taken hold. There is a strong possibility that next year when the proverbial gun is fired to start the Second Annual Run Sober Drive Sober 5K, cities across the country will be simultaneously firing their starting guns to start their own edition of the Run Sober Drive Sober 5K. Now that’s a “Hollywood” story with a happy ending! Top 30 1. Jeff Miller 15:36 Half-Mile Fun Run MALE 9 and Under 1. Hollywood 10-14 1. Ryan Wolf FEMALE 9 and Under 1. Hailey Rutkowski 10-14 1. Claudia Pehowic |
