The Race Across Florida
Congratulations to team Clodding for Craig!! I will try to capture a truly an amazing adventure if I can, but first I would like to thank my daughter Emily and nephew Scott for pulling this together and somehow getting every detail covered.
All of the team, including the support team, arrived sometime on Thursday the 18 th. During the day 2 large 11 person passenger vans were coordinated to be picked up at the airport and then all day long the team of 15 well were picked up, fed, or dropped off at hotels until about 11:00pm.
Friday at 6:00 am the vans then started to pick up the team at 2 hotels and head to Scott's for final preparation before we actually headed off on our trip to New Port Richey (new Clearwater). We all finally saw each other as a family/friends for the first time so there were plenty of hugs and kisses to go around. But we were on a tight schedule because we had a 10:00 am start and we had a 2 hour drive ahead of us. We made sure that the vans were packed with the essentials (which Scott had already done) but a quick double check and we were on way. Two vans full of anticipation, excitement and chatter.
We arrived at the check in point. It had large orange Ragnar balloons, tents and many people buzzing around. I quickly found my way to the shopping tent! I bought a sweatshirt to remember this event, just in case I should ever get dementia
. Many teams were milling about getting ready for the big start. We took pictures and then we wondered over to the start line. Our excitement grew. Our first runner, Melissa, my nephew Joe's fiancee, was our first runner. She stretched and I placed Craig's ashes around her neck...yes, Craig would be running as well.
They began the countdown 5,4,3,2,1 . Then with all of screaming and yelling Melissa took those first steps of what was to be over 200 miles of running.......in Craig's memory and for a cure.
Wow, my family I thought, I am truly blessed.
We then went and tried to meet each runner along their path and cheer them on if possible. The roads were everything from trails to highways. Pastures and through some bad neighborhoods. But each time the runners pressed on without complaint. Muscles grew tighter with each leg of the race, sleep deprivation was tougher on them then they thought it was going to be. I suggested getting a hotel for a few hours. Each van then got only about 3 hours of sleep and a quick shower, but never was a runner off the road. One van was at the hotel, while the other van was out with their runners. Pressing on as Craig did...always getting it done.
It was now Saturday afternoon. Exhaustion was peaked, but van 1 had finished, all their runners were done and headed for the finish line at Daytona. Van 2 was out still pounding away. The anticipation was great as we waited for them. We called for status updates. Kyle, Kevin, Frank, Holly,Scott were now done, we were just waiting for Emily to come down the boardwalk. The sun was setting quickly and as each team crossed we anticipated seeing her.
Finally, off in the distance we saw her headlamp turn the corner. Up the boardwalk she came and at a good pace too. Everyone started cheering and the team ran to meet her. As a team united in Craig's memory, they started running up the boardwalk, then up some stair and across the finish line. They did it!! Over 200 miles in 31 hours and 24 minutes at pace of 9 minutes and 24 seconds per mile. AMAZING!
I know Craig would be busting with pride and humbled by the outpouring of support once again. I would like to again thank each and everyone of you who participated in this adventure. It is something I will never forget. Emily and Scott thank you especially for all of your hard work. To all of those who have donated to help finding a cure thank you. You can still donate to this cause and help fund Craig's grant. http://app.www.curemeso.org/fundraising/kozickigrant
BELIEVING
Shelly
All of the team, including the support team, arrived sometime on Thursday the 18 th. During the day 2 large 11 person passenger vans were coordinated to be picked up at the airport and then all day long the team of 15 well were picked up, fed, or dropped off at hotels until about 11:00pm.
Friday at 6:00 am the vans then started to pick up the team at 2 hotels and head to Scott's for final preparation before we actually headed off on our trip to New Port Richey (new Clearwater). We all finally saw each other as a family/friends for the first time so there were plenty of hugs and kisses to go around. But we were on a tight schedule because we had a 10:00 am start and we had a 2 hour drive ahead of us. We made sure that the vans were packed with the essentials (which Scott had already done) but a quick double check and we were on way. Two vans full of anticipation, excitement and chatter.
We arrived at the check in point. It had large orange Ragnar balloons, tents and many people buzzing around. I quickly found my way to the shopping tent! I bought a sweatshirt to remember this event, just in case I should ever get dementia
. Many teams were milling about getting ready for the big start. We took pictures and then we wondered over to the start line. Our excitement grew. Our first runner, Melissa, my nephew Joe's fiancee, was our first runner. She stretched and I placed Craig's ashes around her neck...yes, Craig would be running as well.They began the countdown 5,4,3,2,1 . Then with all of screaming and yelling Melissa took those first steps of what was to be over 200 miles of running.......in Craig's memory and for a cure.
Wow, my family I thought, I am truly blessed.
We then went and tried to meet each runner along their path and cheer them on if possible. The roads were everything from trails to highways. Pastures and through some bad neighborhoods. But each time the runners pressed on without complaint. Muscles grew tighter with each leg of the race, sleep deprivation was tougher on them then they thought it was going to be. I suggested getting a hotel for a few hours. Each van then got only about 3 hours of sleep and a quick shower, but never was a runner off the road. One van was at the hotel, while the other van was out with their runners. Pressing on as Craig did...always getting it done.
It was now Saturday afternoon. Exhaustion was peaked, but van 1 had finished, all their runners were done and headed for the finish line at Daytona. Van 2 was out still pounding away. The anticipation was great as we waited for them. We called for status updates. Kyle, Kevin, Frank, Holly,Scott were now done, we were just waiting for Emily to come down the boardwalk. The sun was setting quickly and as each team crossed we anticipated seeing her.
Finally, off in the distance we saw her headlamp turn the corner. Up the boardwalk she came and at a good pace too. Everyone started cheering and the team ran to meet her. As a team united in Craig's memory, they started running up the boardwalk, then up some stair and across the finish line. They did it!! Over 200 miles in 31 hours and 24 minutes at pace of 9 minutes and 24 seconds per mile. AMAZING!
I know Craig would be busting with pride and humbled by the outpouring of support once again. I would like to again thank each and everyone of you who participated in this adventure. It is something I will never forget. Emily and Scott thank you especially for all of your hard work. To all of those who have donated to help finding a cure thank you. You can still donate to this cause and help fund Craig's grant. http://app.www.curemeso.org/fundraising/kozickigrant
BELIEVING
Shelly
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