run, WARRIOR RUN

A couple of weeks ago, Santa Clara held their annual Swiss Days celebration. On the Saturday of Swiss Days, they hold a 5k run. A couple of the boys on Grant's football team wanted to participate in the run. However, on that day the boys had a football game up in Cedar City against the Redmen. It was going to be a tough game. Coach Tim told the boys that wanted to participate in the run that the team really needed them fresh and strong for the game. Anyway, it was put to a vote. The team voted that the boys should not participate in the 5k run. The boys were disappointed, but Coach Tim promised to make it up to them.

This last week, the boys had fall break. This meant no game on Saturday. Coach Tim kept his promise to the boys and planned the first ever WARRIOR RUN. He went ALL OUT. Instead of a normal practice Tuesday night, the boys came dressed in running gear. We met at the practice field where the boys were given RACE NUMBERS. Coach Tim explained the rules of the run: 1. NOBODY STOPS (they could run, walk, crawl, whatever... but no stopping) and 2. EVERYBODY FINISHES. The course was explained and parents were scattered along the course to provide water, direct traffic, take pictures, and CHEER! The boys were then shuttled to the starting line 2.25 miles from the practice field. One dad ran with the boys and another brought up the rear on his mountain bike.

The race was on...

This was such an awesome event for the boys. They ran tough. They took the challenge seriously and succeeded. Back at the practice field there were flags lining the track to the end, where a finishing lane was created with cones and a big FINISH banner was hung. As the boys crossed the finish line, they were given a MEDAL, gatorade, and a popsicle. Three of the boys finished the race in 16 minutes. But the best part of the race, was when the last finisher was coming in. He was struggling a little, but still pressing forward. The entire team ran to meet him on the track and ran with him until he finished, CHEERING him on the entire way. It was such a great experience for these young boys.
We are so grateful for their coach, who loves football, but loves these boys just as much. He devotes so much of his personal time and talents with these kids. The football skills they are learning at this age are amazing... but the life lessons they are learning are almost more impressive.