Honored Hero Run: An Introduction

Team Funkytown at the 2014 Honored Hero Run in Fort Worth

Fort Worth's Honored Hero Run is a labor of love by a group of dedicated volunteers, many of which are local Team in Training alumni, dedicated to creating an event to raise money for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and honor local blood cancer patients.  In the last six years, this race has given LLS more than $118,000 with $30,350 donated just last year.

This race stands apart from other multi-race events (it offers a 20 mile run, half marathon, 10k, 5k and award-winning 1k kid's race) because every element of the event comes back to its Honored Heroes. Event organizers describe an Honored Hero is a child or adult who is currently in treatment or a survivor of cancer.  These North Texas Honored Hero play a number of critical roles in the planning and execution of this yearly event.  Honored Heroes design the race logo (it changes each year), creates the finisher medals for all of the races, serve as volunteers along the different courses and speak during the kickoff and award presentation on the race day.

Race Director Don Armstrong, a leukemia survivor, is adamant about highlighting the young Honored Heroes in every element of the event.  "It was our intention to make this event all about the trials and successes of our young Honored Heroes from day one," Armstrong says.  "They are the real reason we (the board of directors) have dedicated our time and energy to creating this race.  Hopefully one days we will have to shut down because there will be cures and cancer will be a thing of the past."

This year's Honored Hero Run is Sunday, October 18th at Trinity Park.  All participants from the 5k up to the 20 mile race will receive an official 2015 Honored Hero Run tech shirt and finisher's medal as part of their entry.  Registration is open now at www.honoredherorun.com.