Kids On The Move, a program of Sports Backers

Hello Friends!

For those who follow my adventures on Facebook or Strava, you know that 2022 was the most amazing and productive year of my running career. Starting with the Monument Ave 10K and Ragnar Trail race in April, I then trained for 500 miles over many weeks with Sports Backers' Marathon Training Team (MTT), culminating with the 16.19K Run Richmond in September, the Detroit International Half-Marathon in October, and every single inch of the 26.2 miles of the Richmond Marathon in November. Your supportive comments, kudos, cheers, and high-fives along the way were invaluable!

On April 28 & 29, 2023, I will again be joining Black Men Run and Kids Run RVA for the Ragnar Trail event at Pocahontas State Park near Richmond, Virginia. This relay-style event covers 122.4 miles of trail running. This will not only be a physical feat but also a mental and emotional one as every team member will run at least one leg at night in the dark, on limited sleep. But we are doing it to raise money for Kids Run RVA, a program of Sports Backers. Kids Run RVA supports youth running clubs in the Richmond, Virginia region, giving elementary and middle school aged kids an opportunity to train for and participate in a local race over the course of a fall and spring season. Kids Run provides resources for their coaches to foster a safe and fun environment to build up their young runners' physical endurance in order to be ready for race day. This program also helps youth overcome barriers to participation by offering complimentary race entries, covering the cost of transportation to and from the events, providing team t-shirts free of cost, and even outfitting youth in need with new running shoes.

I was amazed, humbled, and extremely grateful for each and every donor's generosity last year: we contributed over $1,100 to the total team donation of over $15,000 to Kids Run RVA. There are many causes and organizations that need our attention right now, and I am honored to be involved with this tiny slice of humanity. Best of all, I was able to witness the smiles, enthusiasm, determination, and sense of accomplishment as the kids participated in various events. Your contribution truly made a difference!   

Want to get involved again or maybe for the first time? Of course you do! Here's how:
My personal fundraising goal for 2023 is $1,000. I'm asking that my friends help kick off this campaign by donating at least $10 - $20 by NEXT FRIDAY, March 17. Donations of any size are humbly accepted and will go a long way in supporting our local youth. For example:

$5 = a team t-shirt for one youth runner
$15 = a race registration for a student from a Title 1 school
$50 = a pair of running shoes for a kid in need
A young person's smile, pride, and satisfaction as they cross the finish line = PRICELESS! 

Follow the link below to my team's fundraising page and look for my individual page: "David Lynch for Kids Run RVA". Thank you in advance for your encouragement and support. Feel free to follow my training and adventures on Strava <https://www.strava.com/athletes/21590539>. Just like the fight for social justice, I might not be fast, but I never quit.

https://www.givesignup.org/DonationWebsite/KidsRunRVA/Campaign/2023RunningRagnarfortheKids/F/DavidLynchforKidsRunRVA