F3 South Charlotte Supports Children’s Cancer Research at Isabella Santos 5K SPEED FOR NEED!!!! Area51/SOB/Indian Land

Event Summary

More than 70 F3Nation PAX, M’s, and 2.0’s registered and participated in SPEED FOR NEED’s debut in the South Charlotte Region at the Isabella Santos 5k. Count the spectating supporters, and there were over 100+ supporters total from the F3 family. What a great way to support a great cause, and kick off our new charity!

For only the second race, the entire fleet of racing chariots (4) were on display for the race, and it was a sight to see! Drivers and Track Commanders were as follows:

o GREEN Racing Chariot: Fire Hazard, Buckeye, Goonie (Track Commander – Lily)

o RED Racing Chariot: Frasier, Thin Mint, Scabby (Track Commander – Kinzey)

o BLUE Racing Chariot: Fredo, Billy Goat, Strawberry (Track Commander – Andrew)

o BLACK Racing Chariot: Ickey Shuffle, Heartbreaker, Flipper (Track Commander – Luke)

“For many of us, this was our first time witnessing first-hand the impact of SPEED FOR NEED on the riders, their families, and the drivers. Goonie, Fire Hazard, and I had the pleasure of pushing Lily in the Green racing chariot. As we practiced loading Lily into the chair, she wouldn’t sit still, constantly wanting to get in and out, seemingly uncomfortable in the chair. Naturally, we were a little concerned about how she would manage during a 5k race without her father nearby to console her. As we moved to the starting line, strapped her in, and took off down the road, Lily became ALL smiles. The challenges life has presented her with took a backseat as she cruised down the road, wind blowing in her hair. This was Lily’s Saturday sporting event; her moment to feel like part of a team; passing out high fives to her drivers and almost every other PAX (not named Mario). When we finished the race, Lily kept wanting to get back in her green chair, overjoyed with her experience and more comfortable in her chariot. So comfortable that she asked her father to push her in the fun run. This first-hand experience makes me realize the significance of this charity. Until then, many of us had just been goofing around in the chair when JRR Tolkien has brought them around to the workouts, but seeing Lily’s face light up for that short race was an amazing gift.” – Buckeye, Event Co-Q

“From the beginning of SPEED FOR NEED I knew I would support the cause. JRR Tolkien had enough faith and drive for all F3. I knew it sounded like a good idea and I knew that other teams did it, but it didn’t all click in my head. I still had many questions even though I was the Q for the race… Did people really want to be pushed in races, is this really helping them, does this help with inclusion, and many others. Either way, we kept working and pulled it all together. On race day I was anxious to make sure all the pushers were there and that all the Track Commanders had waivers signed, tents were up, etc… Then it was time to meet the kids and their parents. To be honest it was a mixed bag. Some of the kids and parents seemed nervous like me and others were raring to go like JRRT. Either way it was time to go. I just tried to get Lily to warm up to me in hopes she wouldn’t cry during our race. Her dad was great. He helped us get her fitted in the chair and saved us by showing her a video while people were talking about stuff before they let us go. I was just thinking “why can’t we go already”. Lily is going to lose it and want to get out of this chair soon.. Finally, they let us go. Her dad ran the first 50 yards with us to make sure Lily was ok. Then we took off. I just figured a girl with this much energy would want to go fast. Luckily, we were behind the police motorcycle. Lily was a big fan of that. We just kept talking to Lily and giving her high 5’s. I had a minute to think.. “Hey, Lily is actually liking this”. I looked back, the other kids were having a great time too. Maybe this really is a good thing. As I had time to watch Buckeye and Goonie push and interact with Lily some more I started to understand the goal for SPEED FOR NEED. Those kids had a great time and I think my fellow pushers and I may have even had a better time. I was now 100% bought in, SPEED FOR NEED is a great thing for us and our community. We get to do what we like; run and push things, and we get to do it with some really great people (both in the chairs and out). SPEED FOR NEED has helped me meet new people, help some children do something they would not have been able too, and helped me have some great conversations with my own children about inclusion. If you have seen my short or non-existent backblasts you will realize that this is a lot of typing for me, but I wanted to give you my SPEED FOR NEED journey in hopes of getting any of you, who aren’t sure why we are doing this, out there and involved.” – Fire Hazard, Event Co-Q

We would encourage all PAX to participate in at least one SPEED FOR NEED race a year… just show up to one, and see what it does for you, your family, your community, the track commanders, their parents, and F3 Nation… you won’t be disappointed. Great work South Charlotte!

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/qoZUEIFud_I

Event Q’s: Buckeye, Fire Hazard