Special Kids Race This Saturday, April 8
The 6th Annual Special Kids Race will be held this Saturday, April 8, at Murfreesboro Medical Clinic (MMC). One of Murfreesboro’s largest races, the event is expecting up to 3,000 participants in the 15K, 5K and one mile family fun run.
The event welcomes all levels of participants and encourages the whole family to get involved. Race fees are $45 for the 15K, $40 for the 5K and $20 for the one mile family fun run. New this year, a “Virtual Runner” option is also available for $25 if a participant would still like to be involved but cannot attend on the actual race day. Registration is currently available online through Friday, April 7, at specialkidsrace.org. Event day registration will be available on April 8 for an additional $5 late fee.
Holland is this year’s impact Special Kids partner for the 6th annual Special Kids Race. Born in January 2014 at 25-weeks, Holland was premature and weighed only 1-pound, 6-ounces. Holland was diagnosed with “failure to thrive” when she was one after having feeding difficulties, which eventually led to receiving a Gastrostomy feeding tube (G-tube) in order to receive nutrition. At two years old, she was also diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Holland started at Special Kids in the fall of 2016 and now receives physical, occupational, speech and feeding therapies. She is also part of the Special Kids nursing program. Since starting at Special Kids, she has blossomed, “In one word on the progress Holland has made, ‘Wow!’”, shares Holland’s mom, Megan. Holland’s mom and dad state, “We give thanks to everyone who is helping us along our journey! We wish there was a Special Kids in every community. We are so blessed that we have this help and level of care right here in Murfreesboro. We know Holland is getting the complete care she needs.”
Beyond entrance in the event, race participants receive a soft-style t-shirt, race medal, and giveaway item from presenting sponsor MMC. For the sixth year, all race expenses are covered by sponsors, allowing funds from registration fees to directly benefit children with special needs at Special Kids.
The Special Kids Race is presented by its founding sponsor Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & Surgicenter with Platinum sponsors Max Shred and Backer-Springfield. Gold sponsors include Smoothie King, Newk’s Eatery, New Vision Baptist Church, Ole South, Stewart’s Special Events, Tiffany Lane and Walker & Dunlop. Silver sponsors are Ascend Federal Credit Union, AdamsPlace, Togrye, Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital, Smile Doctors Braces, The Morgan Family Foundation, Murfreesboro Surgical Specialist, Bill Taylor’s Bushido Karate, A Step Ahead, Stones River Battlefield, Nissan North America, Little Guys Movers, Tam Clark DJ Services, Fleet Feet and Guaranty Trust. Bronze sponsors include Mobility Works, Hooper Fence, Franklin Synergy Bank, Wegmann Automotive, Once Upon a Child, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Heritage South Credit Union, TOA, Mid TN GYN, Zaxby’s, Wax Family Printing, Murfreesboro Pulse, WGNS, VIP Murfreesboro, Murfreesboro Oral Surgery, Murfreesboro Pure Milk, Boys & Girls Club, Jim N Nick’s, Farrer Brothers, All In One Recycling, Reeves-Sain, Coffee Fusion, Rock Solid Security and Tasty Table. Other supporters are Jamie Reed, TN Valley Ice, Mikey’s Motors, Fast Signs of Murfreesboro, Total Family Physicians Center, Waffle House and Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.
Special Kids is a Christian therapy and nursing center for children with special needs. The Murfreesboro-based ministry started with one child in 1998 and has grown to serve over 3,000 children from 18 counties in middle Tennessee. For more information on Special Kids, please visit specialkidstn.com or call 615.893.4892.
