Quadraman Fun Run

Since I started running in 2010, I have ran a great deal of races, including a half marathon. Most of the time, I just pay the registration and not really think about what the cause is for if there is one. I think the only times I've ever ran something close to my heart was the Sprint for Life series (2012 and 2013). Never have I thought about actually organizing my own race. 

Until now. My good friend, David Hartsock risked his body and life on August 1, 2009, to save another human being whom he had never met before. He was a Tandem Instructor at Skydive Houston; Shirley Dygert was his passenger there to celebrate her son's 30th birthday. Strapped together, they left the plane at 13,500ft. Shirley was having the time of her life, plummeting to the earth at 120mph. After about 45 seconds of freefall, it was time to wave goodbye to the videographer and open the parachute. But there was a problem; the parachute didn't open properly. A seasoned professional, David quickly deployed the reserve parachute, which became tangled with the main parachute. David and Shirley were now descending way too fast and a moment that will forever link these two names.

As the ground rushed up to meet them, David made the decision to place himself underneath his passenger so that he could take the full impact when they crashed. Shirley suffered multiple broken vertebrae and internal injuries, but she walked away. David fared much worse. With spinal cord damage, he was paralyzed from the neck down. He had never met Shirley before this day, but he sacrificed himself for her making him a hero in our eyes.

For more information, watch this below.

After the accident, I toyed with the idea of organizing a 5k to raise money, but it never materialized. And then I heard that David was making yet another trip to the hospital, which meant more financial burdens on David and his family. Medical expenses and a full-time nurse are not cheap. Plus, his 80+ year old mother helps take care of David 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I decided to make that 5k plan something real. Little did I know, that my friend Kate (Sprint For Life Kate and hater of all things running or so she says) was thinking along the same lines right at the same time. We asked for advice from our two other friends, Susan and Jen, who were asking us what they could do to help. It all seemed like magic and the Quadraman Fun Run was born.

Come join us on February 8, 2014, at 8 a.m. at Bear Creek Park for the first annual Quadraman Fun Run. It's a two mile run and the best thing is that it's only $10. If you can't be in the Houston area on that time, don't fret. We set up a Virtual Run for the same price. Just make sure to send us your pictures about your run or organized run. We will also have a Quad Trot for the younger participants ages 2-10, which is a 444 ft run.

Register for this easy and inexpensive run at https://tix.extremetix.com/Online/?siteID=3627&eventID=44905. Everyone is encouraged to raise funds for their run. A special gift will be given to the top fundraiser. Donate at https://tix.extremetix.com/Online/?siteID=3627&eventID=47038. If you are donating to help a registered runner raise funds, then place their name in the Ticket Holder Name field.

So, please come out and show your support to help our friend called David.

Like our Facebook page for updates on the fun run and fun facts or visit Dave's Caring Bridge site for updates on his progress.