Southpark Mall

Are you on the “Gump” bandwagon yet? THEY ARE.

The day after Cinco de May. Final Round of the Wells Fargo Golf Championship. The threat of T-storms. All these would’ve been legitimate reasons to be relaxing on a Sunday afternoon out in the Queen City. Yet, for a handful of dedicated supporters, they chose to drive to Southpark Mall and support THE CAUSE. And boy, did they do an unbelievable job of promoting Run4Papa!

We met at the amphitheater in Southpark, introduced ourselves to one another, snapped a couple pictures and began running around the perimeter of the mall. The younger runners were so enthused about participating, they asked to carry the Run4Papa.com signs throughout the 5K! They showed each and every car, shopper and customer dining outside why they came together for an hour this afternoon: They raised awareness. They supported the journey. And they did it all with smiles from ear-to-ear.

As we made our way around the mall, we ran by eatery after eatery as well as store after store. What surprised this entire crew the most was Isha running ahead by a good distance pushing her little boy, MaKai, in a stroller. She was flying and finished well ahead of everyone. Now that is inspiring!

To be honest with you, I think this crew could’ve easily ran a 10K! They barely seemed tired by the end. Yes, maybe some of them were a decade (or more) younger than yours truly, but it was a pleasure to see that level of joie de voivre amongst this bunch.

And as  promised, we will keep running/walking a 5K every other day until the remaining $5K is raised. And if this face doesn’t make you want to attend the next 5K for $5K, nothing will!

When is the next 5K race?

Tuesday, May 8th at 6:30PM. Location: S. Tryon/Trade St in the heart of Uptown Charlotte. This is an open invite and ALL are welcome. The more the merrier! This 5K should garner a TON of buzz and excitement!

3 down, 2 remain!

If you have any questions, please email: [email protected]

To make a donation go to: PPA Research and Education Fund (Run4Papa)

May 6th @ Southpark Mall: Charlotte, NC – 2:00PM

Want to go shopping at the mall? I mean, who doesn’t say yes to that question? What about running AROUND the mall in support of PPA awareness?

Today, we host our 3rd 5K for $5K Run/Walk Challenge in one of Charlotte’s most premiere shopping districts: Southpark. While most people will be hustling from shop to shop, we will be running/walking around the perimeter of the mall passing by a whole array of shoppers, restaurants and boutiques. RUNNERS, WALKERS, CHILDREN AND PETS ARE ALL WELCOME TO JOIN! This is your chance to spend an hour of your afternoon for a tremendous cause. On top of that, when you are finished, you can treat yourself to a healthy smoothie, some tapas, or even a brand new outfit. Just say “You are with Run4Papa.” If they aren’t aware of THE CAUSE, help educate them:)

With two successful 5K’s behind us, we look forward to “Gumping it up” again as we anticipate another solid showing of supporters.

The 5K route – We are meeting in front of the Amphitheater at Southhpark Mall. If you are driving to the venue, feel free to park next to Dick’s Sporting Goods and walk toward the path facing the stage. From this location, we will hit Barclay Downs Drive which parallels the fountains making our way to Morrison Boulevard. Taking a RIGHT on Morrison, we will move up to Sharon road by taking another RIGHT. On Sharon road, we will pass Cowfish (amazing sushi and happy hour hotspot) Crate & Barrel, Cheesecake Factory, Belk, Diamonds Direct (best local jeweler in Charlotte), Zebra (one of the most romantic restaurants in the Queen City), Apple Store (anyone for an ipad?), Bank of America (of course we can pit-stop for a $5 donation) and many more stores. As we hit Fairview Road, we will take another RIGHT.  Moving along Fairview Road we will fly by Nordstrom’s, Neiman Marcus and eventually reach Piedmont Row Drive. Making a RIGHT yet again, we breeze past Brio (shout out to my lil sister), Taco Mac (a ridiculous amount of beers on tap), wrapping around the fountain leading into Camegie Boulveard. Camegie Blvd brings us back to our original location at the Southpark amphitheater…exactly 3.1 miles!

Although you may be tempted to stop at one of the many wonderful places along the route, keep that willpower strong until after the 5K. I promise they aren’t going anywhere…

One VERY important note about this 5K – since this location is around the mall, BE MINDFUL OF CARS when approaching the crosswalks. This isn’t a race and we don’t want anyone getting hurt.

If you have any questions, please email: [email protected]

To make a donation go to: PPA Research and Education Fund (Run4Papa)

Freedom Park

Are you “Gumping” it up? THEY DID.

300. Hard to imagine, BUT today marked the 300th day of this journey! After our first 5K Run/Walk, the response was clear: people want in. The overwhelming number of emails, contributions and words of encouragement have been unbelievable. Since the official launch 5 short days ago, we have raised over $2K toward our goal of $5K. And as promised, we will keep running/walking a 5K every other day until the remaining $5K is raised.

Like the first 5K, I arrived early and walked a loop around the park holding my Run4Papa.com sign. I stopped to speak to several dog-walkers, was flagged down by a couple tossing a frisbee, and had a brief conversation with some women clearly wanting a break from their boot-camp workout (looked brutal). Most surprisingly, a child no more than 5-years-old was walking side-by-side his mother began to run toward me and started touching my sign, specifically the “Papa” portion. I laughed with undoubtedly a perplexed look on my face. Maybe the kid was just being curious. Maybe he liked the color. Or maybe he was just being a kid. His mom walked to grab her child and said, “we call my dad ‘Papa’.”

As 6:30 was drawing closer, runners/walkers alike came together in Freedom Park to participate in the 5K. After brief introductions, I explained the 5K route to the group. The atmosphere was pleasantly calm and running/walking in such a beautiful location with ideal conditions-clear skies, 70-degrees and a swirling breeze-was beyond stimulating to the mind and senses.

The runners took off as the walkers causally made their way around the body of water surrounding the park. After 1 3/4 laps, we crossed a bridge leading to a path in the woods which wrapped around the park. As any runner will tell you, it’s not challenging to run when nature is surrounding you on all sides. Exiting the woods, we passed a handful of bikers as well as a group of kids playing soccer. My favorite part of the run was, of course, THE STEPS (not often part of a normal 5K). We climbed the steps and looped our way around the park back to the original starting bridge; thus, finishing the 5K run.

Since the walking group was still a decent distance behind us, I sprinted back to their group and we all completed the last leg of the 5K together. I wanted to show my appreciation for their willingness to raise awareness for PPA as well as capture some images of their walk on camera. With another 5K for $5K Challenge successfully completed, what better way to reap the rewards of 3.1 miles covered on foot? We ALL went out for dinner and drinks…after all, it is the weekend:)

When is the next 5K race?

Sunday, May 6th at 2PM. Location: Southpark Mall in front of the Amphitheater. This is an open invite and ALL are welcome. The more the merrier!

2 down, 3 more to run/walk!

If you have any questions, please email: [email protected]

To make a donation go to: PPA Research and Education Fund (Run4Papa)

 Little Sugar Creek Greenway

Will YOU be at the next 5K? THEY WILL.

I admit, I was nervous. Would people show? Check that…would anyone show? I arrived at the Little Sugar Creek Greenway 30 minutes prior to the 5K and proceeded to walk up and down the running path holding my Run4Papa.com sign as high as my skinny arms would extend. Runners stopped to ask “Who is Papa?” while others mumbled to themselves “Run4Papa” as they jogged by. Car after car crawled passed the Greenway looking at the random foliage behind me or reading my sign ever so carefully. I hope it was the latter, no offense foliage.

As 6:30PM crept up faster than my taxes, 7 people showed up to run/walk the 5K; 3 others stopped and decided to be a part of our group. On the outside, I was happy. On the inside, little mini men were rummaging around, jumping up and down as if they were on trampolines. As we took off from East Blvd and made our trek through the scenic Greenway, I was stopped numerous times and asked about the signage. I enthusiastically informed the curious onlookers that 4 more 5K’s were planned every other day throughout the city of Charlotte.

Between being stopped by other runners, bikers and people sitting having a drink at the Metropolitan, tonight’s 1st ever 5K for $5K Challenge was an instant winner. Running toward uptown Charlotte as the sun was dropping below the horizon was as soothing as walking barefoot on a beach.

People cared. They cared to show up. They cared to support the journey. They all knew someone with dementia and that was what unified this small group of runners tonight. And that was more than enough.

When is the next  5K race?

Friday, May 4th at 6:30PM. Location: Freedom Park next to the bridge. This is an open invite and ALL are welcome. The more the merrier!

And by the feedback and emails in my inbox, I believe this challenge will continue to grow in people, awareness and funds raised for PPA research.

1 in the books, 4 more to go!