David Hearn's 2nd Run3rd 5K race report

Submitted by David Hearn, @davidhearncsi

David Hearn and Sean Astin

The sun was up the sky was blue the drive was long.

As we pulled up to Red Mountain High School for the 2nd Annual #Run3rd 5k on April 2, 2016, you could feel the energy of the crowd who had come out to participate in this wonderful event. As we worked our way onto the field to pick up our race packet, we were greeted with happy smiling faces, vendor booths, raffle prizes, and most importantly, the school kids. The kids all had their Run3rd shirts on; many had their Run3rd dedications pinned to their backs. You could see their anxious, nervous faces filling with excitement as we got closer to the start of the race.

For many of the kids this was their first structured running event and our founder Sean Astin spoke to the crowd, with a focus on the kids. It was great to see the excitement on their faces as Sean gave them some pointers on how to complete their first 5k run. With the national anthem beautifully sung, the run was on and the kids were off!

Our first #Run3rd Hero Award winner, Tracy Burwell

The course was well laid out and the volunteers made sure you did not get lost and the sun was starting to heat things up. As we completed our run the crowds formed close to the finish line cheering and giving words of encouragement to all those who were getting close to the finish line.

What a great event! What a great cause! I am so happy that my wife and I took the time to come to Mesa AZ to experience this event first hand. Meeting the #Run3rd team members, meeting Sean, celebrating the first #Run3rd Hero with Tracy it just doesn’t get any better than this.

You meet the nicest people in the desert.

Captain David