Since July of 2013, the Tug Valley Road Runners Club, or TVRRC, has been raising awareness about Crohn’s Disease with the annual Kickin’ Butt For Crohn’s 5K and 1 Mile Walk. This race was the idea of Tonya Cool, a member of TVRRC, after her mother’s lifelong struggle with Crohn’s disease, as a means to raise awareness while also bringing an annual July run to the table for the group.
In the time since the event got started, it has seen plenty of growth, with more and more people participating every year. At the first ever run, they saw around 75 participants. Last year, at the 9th Annual run, they had 180– more than double what they started with. Now, as the 10th Annual Kickin’ Butt for Crohn’s 5K approaches, Tonya and her husband Shawn,who helped her to get this event started, are excited and proud of what they have accomplished.
Proud to Bring Fun and Awareness to the Area
“Tonya and I are very grateful that we have been able to continue this amazing event for 10 years,” Shawn says. “With the help of our great sponsor. We are able to make this an event for everyone to come out and enjoy.”
Their hopes for the 10th anniversary of this race? “We just want another great event,” Shawn says. Judging by the previous years and growth of the event, we’re certain they will have a great 10th anniversary year!
This event will start from the Williamson Field House on July 22, 2022 at 7pm. Participants can register online in advance, or same-day at the event beginning at 5pm. Kids ages 11 and under are free to run in the kids’ race, a 100 yard dash. Participants will receive event t-shirts and finisher medals, and will be eligible for age awards. To learn more about this event, visit the Facebook page.