The St. Elizabeth Healthcare Honor Run is an event the public can experience on many levels: the signature half-marathon, two-person relay, a 5K, and one-mile kids’ run. Or just coming out to cheer runners along the course.
It’s also an event that the St. Elizabeth family can experience on many levels. Take Guy Karrick. An avid runner, he’ll have completed all three Honor Run Half Marathons when he crosses the finish line on Nov. 13.
As public relations manager for St. Elizabeth Healthcare, he’s also interested in continuing to establish the race in the running community and the community at large.
And as an American privileged to share an honor flight with a combat veteran ““ race proceeds help veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam visit Washington D.C. to see their memorials via Honor Flight Tri-State – Karrick approaches this year’s race with renewed purpose.
“As runners, sometimes even from our families, we get the question: Why do you run? And you don’t have a good answer. Because I can?” Karrick said.
“Well, for November 13, 2016, I know exactly why I’m running. They sacrificed for their country. This is the least I can do for 13.1 miles.”
Karrick said he was deeply moved while accompanying a Korean War veteran on an honor flight this year. Karrick had seen the memorial on the National Mall before, but the veteran had not. Once there, Karrick described some of its features, then turned to face the veteran, only to discover he had been moved to tears.
Upon arriving at CVG, Karrick said veterans were accorded the heroes’ welcome many didn’t receive the first time around. “The gentleman I spoke to flew back from Korea to Seattle, then flew from Seattle to Chicago. He took a bus from Chicago to Cincinnati. He took another bus from Cincinnati to Covington. Then he walked home, in his uniform, and not a soul acknowledged him along the way.”
“The reception they receive at CVG is one for the books,” Karrick said. “It’s almost like a ticker-tape parade.”
Due recognition for veterans extends to the race itself, where participants are encouraged to honor servicemen and women with a photo on their race shirts, or by writing a name on a race hat, or even an arm.
The Half Marathon course begins and ends at the Florence Y’All water tower and includes the Mall Road and Houston Road business districts, as well as Turfway Park. At about mile 12, Karrick said, there’s a challenging incline, and organizers hope to have lots of fans there to cheer runners up the hill.
Karrick said he’ll have his own inspiration at that point.
“I’ll keep the images of those veterans in Washington on that day in my mind,” he said. “I’ll use that experience to take me up that hill.”
ST. ELIZABETH HEALTHCARE HONOR RUN
WHEN: Nov. 13, 7 a.m. for Honor Run Half Marathon, Honor Run 2-Person Relay; 7:15 a.m. for Nature Nate’s Honor Run 5K; 10:45 a.m. for Honor Run Kids One Mile.
WHERE: All races start and finish under the Florence Y’All water tower.
WHY: Race benefits Honor Flight Tri-State, helping send local veterans who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam to Washington D.C. to visit their memorials.
INFORMATION: www.honorrunhalf.com
Read our latest story for training tips and information on the race.