Running With Friends So They Can Have Some

This past weekend, I got to be a part of a wonderful thing called the Hope Relay! The Hope Relay is a relay race sponsored by the Project Hope Foundation, which serves children with Autism in the upstate.  

The Project Hope Foundation holds a special place in my heart because it's where I met my boys. While working there, I had the privilege of spending time with two precious little boys who have autism.  Bo could be my own child with his blonde hair and bright blue eyes. I like to call him my little cuddle monster because he's always giving my kisses or asking for tickles! And then there's Preston, with his great big smile and wild and crazy hair.  

I could not have been more blessed when it came to working not only with the boys but their families as well. Their families took me into their homes, prayed for me, encouraged me, and truly blessed my life. The joy brought to me by both the boys and their families was why I ran this weekend. 

Autism is now said to affect 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys.  Autism is a developmental disorder which affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. The Project Hope Foundation provides a wide range of services that supports the full spectrum of the autism community and at the Hope Relay, 

We run with our friends…so that children with autism can have some.

The Hope Relay consists of two races, the Hope 20 and the Hope 47. Runners form a relay team and run 1 leg each ( Hope 20) or run 2 legs each ( Hope 47) through the scenic roads of Tigerville, SC.  I had the privilege of running with four awesome ladies- Ashley Kinser, Katie Henson, Kristen Hatfield, and Irene Mortera. And of course, we couldn't have going anywhere without our awesome driver, Katie Horner, who "did the whole race, accelerating at some places, slowing down at others, and made a few turns!" 

Together we made up 4 Tigers and a Hokie and completed the Hope 20! We were awesome and placed third in our division with a time of 3:16:03!

Running in the Hope Relay was such a blast and it was great to do something fun for something that means so much to me.  I can't wait to do it next year on November 16, 2013! As of now, the goal for next year is to run the Hope 20 all by myself!

For more information on the Hope Relay and why we run, check out www.hoperelay.org