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Wanted: People who will climb walls, run 1.25 miles and trek through tires all while doing so to help a local young cancer patient.
If you meet this criteria, then the Crazy 4 Colby Obstacle Course on May 6 at 5:30 p.m. is for you. The event is being presented by Rutherford Women's League. Proceeds from the event will benefit the family of Colby Whiteside, a 5 year old who was diagnosed last summer with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
"Each year Rutherford Women's League identifies a need in the community we will support with fundraisers," said Julie Pittman, a member of the League. "Colby's story pulled at our heartstrings .... it could be any of us. We're all in a position to really rally the community around this family and this kid who I've never seen not smile."
The popularity of obstacle courses sparked the League to create their own, designed so that children Colby's age could even take part, said Christy Bare, a member who has helped organize the event.
"We mapped out and designed the course in conjunction with the Town of Rutherfordton to utilize roadways and park areas, but also to use areas that are proposed for future town trail development," Bare explained. "Each obstacle will have an alternate exercise to perform if a participant feels they cannot perform the obstacle."
There are 9 obstacles along the 1.25 mile course, including climbing walls, traffic barriers, balance bars, a tire obstacle and more.
"We feel like everyone will have a lot of fun," Bare said.
Those who do not want to participate but who want to provide financial support for the family may make donations and cheer on participants.
Colby's cancer is fast acting, said his mom, Jessi Whiteside. Since his diagnosis, he has spent all but 25 days in the hospital, undergoing chemotherapy treatments. In January he had a bone marrow transplant with cord blood, and he and his family remain near Duke University Medical Center post-transplant.
The community has provided an outpouring of support for the family, and has been a blessing, Whiteside said.
"I would have never imagined for people to have a love for my child like I do ... this journey has been a roller-coaster, but I'm so thankful I have had a community behind us and friends, family and our church family at West Point Baptist Church who love us. All I could ever say to anyone and everyone is thank you, but saying that could never have enough of my emotions in it to express how much it really means."
Colby is doing better than expected and better than average following the transplant, Whiteside said, and is running around playing and eating well.
"He never stops smiling," she said.
Registration for Crazy 4 Colby Obstacle Course is $30 per runner and $20 for those ages 10 and younger, and may be done online at RutherfordOutdoor.org/outdoor-activities/RaceSeries/Races. Finisher medals will be given out as well as prizes for the craziest costume, craziest school group, biggest group and craziest individual.
