As any dedicated runner will tell you, road races come and go each year. In fact, just about every weekend in the Kansas City area you can find a run/walk to participate in supporting a number of causes. Most fade away after a few years.
That’s what is so special about the Amy Thompson Run for Brain Injury. This Monday (May 28) will commemorate the Silver Anniversary of the run held each Memorial Day for 25 years. The group has raised more than $2 million in that time for Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City.
The race starts at 51st and Wornall at 8 a.m. and runners can sign up at the Amy Thompson site. This year in addition to the traditional 8K race, a new 5K has been added to replace the former 2K run.
KMBC’s legendary anchorman Larry Moore has been the Honorary Chairperson for the event since its inception. His support has helped fuel its growth over the years with more than 2,500 runners (and 150 soldiers from Fort Riley) participating.
The Run is held in honor of Amy Thompson, 23, a recent University of Kansas graduate who was senselessly shot twice in the head during a a robbery on Halloween in 1986. After a courageous three-year fight she died unexpectedly on Christmas night in 1989 at the age of 26.
On Memorial Day 1988, Amy’s friends, led by Molly Scanlon, organized the first run. Since then, the Run in Amy’s memory has raised funds to help all people with brain injuries.
Of all the races around the city, this one really celebrates community as much as anything else. It was started by Amy’s friends and it has really maintained a family friendly atmosphere over the years. I love running in this one because it is fun on and off the course.