The 15th Annual Speedy Pd Race for Parkinson’s disease, presented by Community First National Bank, begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at Tuttle Creek State Park. The common gift for a 15th anniversary is crystal, which represents the purity and fragile nature of love and relationships. Even after 15 years, our event still requires our love, attention, and nurturing to continue its success to provide funds to support Parkinson's disease (Pd) programming.

Individuals affected by Parkinson’s, whether the individual with the diagnosis or his/her care partner, quickly learn that life is fragile. Hallmark symptoms of Parkinson’s include slowness of movements, tremor, balance difficulties, and rigidity. All symptoms can make activities of daily living  and quality of life activities more challenging and even dangerous. This is where nurturing becomes essential. People with Pd need to consistently participate in therapies, exercise, social activities, counseling, and manage medication in order to give themselves the best outcomes. Care partners, provide essential support to help the person with Parkinson’s nurture this lifestyle.

Meadowlark Parkinson’s Program also provides nurturing through FREE education, exercise, engagement, and support opportunities to those in the Flint Hills and beyond. Also, since 2021, we are providing nearly all activities in a hybrid format, which means our meetings held in person also are offered in a virtual option. This allows us to help nurture people statewide -- Marysville, Hays, and Olathe. We are able to offer these opportunities without financial obligations mostly because of the funds we raise at the Speedy Pd Race for Parkinson’s Disease. We are gearing up to set records this year for the largest attendance, and our event needs YOU and your nurturing support to get us there!

One does not need to be a fast walker/runner to participate in this event! Part of the beauty of Speedy Pd is the encouragement one feels while participating. We have the best volunteers to cheer for you. This is the third year for the Half-Mile event to be a memorial walk/run, which pays tribute to those who have passed away. Family and friends of those who have lost a loved one with Parkinson’s will be able to have a sign posted alongside the road where this walk occurs. Please contact Michelle or Katie for more information about these memorial signs.

Like the Half-Mile walk/run, the 5K and 10K courses are flat and on paved roads. Participants will enjoy a festive atmosphere, support along the way, and an awesome post-race celebration with massages by Body First, and nurturing food/beverages from Smoothie King, The DoughBro, ET Sweets, chocolate milk, Pepsi products, Budweiser beer, and much more!  

To help continue these services and add new opportunities and resources, one may make a generous donation to Meadowlark Foundation and note Parkinson’s Program in the memo line. Register for the Speedy Pd Half-Mile, 5K, or 10K by going to www.runspeedypd.org, or stop by the Hospitality Desk to pick up a paper registration form. You may turn in your registration and payment to the box at the Hospitality Desk or to Body First Wellness Center. The Half-Mile Memorial Walk/Run starts at 8 a.m., and the 5K/10K races will start shortly after. Each registered participant receives a Speedy Pd t-shirt (guaranteed until 8/11/23), a finisher’s medal, and wonderful post-race food, drink, and massages provided by our sponsors. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Michelle at (785) 323-3899 or e-mail mhaub@meadowlark.org.