Elizabeth Nelson of Destin loves to run, and now that she is the mother of two small boys she wants to continue her hobby and bring her children along with her.
“There was a time in my life when running defined me,” she said on an online post. “I still love it now even though I'm not nearly as fast as I was in my youth.”
Nelson lives off of Indian Bayou Trail where twice a year the “Run with the Dogs,” race is held. Nelson told The Log that the dog run inspired her to begin her own tag-along race event.
“I thought, ‘You know what would be great would be a run with a jogging stroller,’” she said. “I think it’s really important to do family exercise especially when you have young kids. It’s hard to get out and do family activities together.”
Nelson is now planning an inaugural jogging stroller race for February of next year named the “First Annual Stroller Derby and 1 Mile Kid's Fun Run.”The race will feature a 5K run, with categories for runners, walkers and those with jogging strollers.
“You don’t have to have a running stroller to participate in the race,” Nelson said. “We also are big fans of baby-wearing for the walk.”
In addition to the 5k, a one-mile kids run will be held for children aged 12 and under.
Currently in the development phase, Nelson has set up a ‘go fund me’ website to try to cover fees for an official timer, t-shirts, and awards.
“The race is happening regardless of whether I get the full funding,” she said, explaining that she has already paid insurance fees and is currently working on finding sponsors to cover most of the remaining costs. “What I really want is for everyone to show up and run.”
The race will also be a fundraiser, with proceeds to support local midwives and lactation consultants as well as a networking group called the Friends of Gentle Birth Options.
“The women at Gentle Birth Options hold a very important place in my heart,” said Nelson.“They do breastfeeding support and out-of-hospital births. Both of my sons were home-birthed.”
As the race is still six months away, Nelson said the main need right now is for sponsorship and volunteers.
“A lot of people are already helping out,” she said listing off friends and a few local businesses who have taken on supporting roles. “But the main reason I wanted to do it is I love to run, there are not enough races to be able to compete in with a jogging stroller,” she said.
For more information or to donation to the race visit http://www.gofundme.com/cbtnxo or email Liz at ESlavinmail@hotmail.com