Sometimes when the universe gives you pain, you can turn it into purpose. At least, that’s what the John Michael Morrison 5k Charity Run is all about. Each year, runners, walkers, and joggers come together to participate in a 5k meant to honor a fallen member of the running community.
John Michael Morrison started running in 7th grade at Westover Middle School in the Amarillo, Texas, area. Beyond being naturally gifted, Morrison had a passion for running that other kids his age had for video games, movies, and professional sports. By the time Morrison reached his sophomore year, he had 23 medals from his freshman year on. He was involved in the mile and two-mile races as well as cross country.
Tragedy Strikes The Community
Sadly, tragedy struck in 2019 when John Michael Morrison lost his life in a car accident that happened as he was leaving practice. That was a moment that struck the running community as well as the general area.
Honoring John Michael Morrison
His parents decided to launch the John Michael Morrison Memorial Scholarship, which honors Morrison’s love and passion for running. The community comes out yearly to support the memorial and honor Morrison’s memory. It’s both a somber and proud moment for his parents, as they were able to turn something horrible into something honorable.
Community Support
One of the best parts about the event is seeing the community rally behind the race. Not only do runners come from all over the surrounding areas, but local businesses chip in to offer support. Companies like Greg Lair GMC wholeheartedly believe in the purpose of both the fundraiser and the memorial. In fact, Greg Lair GMC was again the top sponsor for the 5k charity run this year.
A Community Rallies Together
Morrison’s parents are touched by the outpouring of support and love from the community, runners, and local businesses. “You never know how much the impact he had on so many lives,” his mother remarked, “that’s what we see every day, something happens every day, and we’re just able to see that, feel it, and know that he was able to make a difference.”
Turning Tragedy Into Something Good
When discussing the purpose behind the John Michael Morrison 5k Charity Run, Morrison’s mom believes in turning tragedy into something good for the community: “God’s just good like that, he’ll make something good from tragedy. That’s what allows us to just keep going every day. Put one foot in front of the other and just help other people.”
You can learn more about this 5k charity run at https://johnmichaelmorrisonmemorial.org/5k-run/, including how to support and participate in the event. If you want to learn more about the top sponsor, visit https://www.greglair.com/.
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