The summer sun didn’t keep runners and hero patients from meeting their goals during the first event in the annual race series.
The 2019 Akron Children’s Hospital hero patients joined a sold out crowd at the National Interstate 8k and 1 Mile race on Saturday. The heroes were introduced at the starting line prior to 2,000-plus runners taking to the streets of Akron in the first of 3 races as part of the Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series.
Five-year-old Saige Carpenter of Orrville was the featured hero at the race, helping with the official race countdown and serving as inspiration to runners along the race route. Saige, who was diagnosed with pulmonary atresia at birth, has undergone 3 major heart surgeries to repair her heart defect and takes daily medications to manage her condition. Thanks to her own resilience and the care she received at Akron Children’s Hospital, Saige is thriving and getting ready to start kindergarten in the fall.
Saige Carpenter of Orrville
Other heroes in attendance included:
Hope Palmer of Mogadore
Mary Moy of Johnston and Donovan Stringer of Warren
Twins Cory and Katie Michalec of Tallmadge
Miles Postak of Wadsworth
Joey Ricci of Springfield Township
Brayden McDonald of Akron
Lucas Ransom of North Canton
Jayden Wallace of Akron
Madelyne Williams of Kent and Madison Harrison of Green
Rybecca Rennie of Waynesburg
Jessalyn Hartsfield of Youngstown
Kyle Nottingham of Massillon (at left) with Lucas Ransom
During the race, all of the heroes were treated to a bird’s-eye view of the race finish line in the VIP suite at InfoCision Stadium, enjoyed refreshments and a visit from the hospital’s Doggie Brigade. The heroes also had the unique opportunity to be filmed for upcoming Bus Stop Forecast segments on WKYC Channel 3 and donor.
A small paparazzi helped each hero patient perform for the camera. Shown clockwise from top left: Kyle Nottingham, Jessalyn Hartsfield and Cory Michalec.
Project Outrun, was on hand to give heroes a special gift of designing their very own pair of Nike ID shoes.
Project Outrun empowers kids through shoes. Dream shoes. Power shoes. Custom shoes. Shoes with the kids’ favorite colors and their messages. Whatever they need to lace up everyday and Outrun fear or sickness or doubt and to get them back on their feet. Shoes to make them feel… #ImNotSickButMyShoesAre & #ImTooQuickToBeSick. Shown clockwise from top left: Maddie Harrison, Miles Postak, Lucas Ransom and Mary Moy.
To learn more about how you can run or support the Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series, visit akronmarathon.org.
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