I wonder...: Are you ready to Race for the Place?

I had to share the following article, but I also want to encourage you and your family to join Team Trinity this Saturday to support Saint :Lawrence Place.

Veteran Runner Ken Lowden Returns to the Road in Race For The Place

Ken Lowden returns to the road Saturday, in his first official race since undergoing quadruple heart bypass surgery in the fall.

"I believe in charity races, and Race For The Place is a really good one!" Lowden says.

You don't often get to hear stories like Lowdens, because most people in his shoes don't live to tell them. The 69 year old running veteran started pounding the pavement in 1976, and since then there's been no stopping him. Lowden eats right and to say he exercises is an understatement; Lowden is an Ironman. (Really! Lowden finished the Ironman Triathlon.)

In November, Lowden finished a stretch of distance runs; three consecutive weeks of races where he ran 15 miles or greater. It was on a short training run soon after that when he literally said, "This hill is going to kill me." Lowden says something didn't feel quite right. The next day, when Lowden took his blood pressure it was skyrocketing, he called his doctor with the numbers and was told to head straight to the hospital. Soon after that visit, Lowden would have a life-saving heart procedure.

Heart disease runs in Lowden's family and although he was doing everything right to beat it, eventually it caught up for him. Thankfully Lowden caught it just in time. "I'm not one to look for the limelight," Lowden says. "But if sharing my story helps someone, then I believe that is what God wants me to do."

Why Race For The Place?

Lowden says he wanted his first official race after his procedure to be special.
"I really thought about this and I chose Race For The Place." Lowden says. "I like the partnership you have with USC Basketball Coach Dawn Staley's Innersole organization- that helps get shoes to kids in need," Lowden says.

Lowden is bringing a pair of running shoes to Race For The Place on Saturday that he plans to donate.

"Who knows?" Lowden says. "The shoes that I donate Saturday may inspire someone to run and choose a life of fitness and eventually end up saving their life one day."

Join Ken Lowden and all of the runners and walkers competing in Race For The Place on Saturday. For more details on the race and to sign up, click the link: Register here.

What you need to know.

Packet pick up begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday, February 18. The race begins at 8 a.m. This course is fast and flat through Shandon. The certified course is part of Columbia Running Club's Tour de Columbia. The start and finish lines are at the corner of Bonham and Blossom Streets, near St. Joseph Catholic Church. The Kids' Fun Run begins at 9:15 am. We hear that COCKY is planning a visit to see us this year!

5k participants receive a race T-shirt and finish line refreshments. Awards will be given to top three overall male and female winners ($100, $75, $50) and top male and female masters ($75).

There is a $5 discount for teams of 4 or more who register.

Please support our generous sponsors. For information on how you can join this incredibly caring group, please call 803-602-6379 ext 1069, or email jmalovic@stlawrenceplace.org.