For many kids across America, locating a favorite pair of shoes before heading out the door to school is a last-minute scramble.
But for thousands of children throughout Africa and Latin America, locating shoes is more than a scramble; it’s a financial impossibility. And for families who cannot afford school shoes, it’s often bars their children from attending school at all. Willow Creek’s second annual 5K helps these families provide school shoes for their kids.
“Owning a pair of black leather shoes with laces is an admission requirement in many rural African and Latin American schools,” says Paul Jansen Van Rensburg, a Willow Creek pastor and director of the Willow Creek 5K. “In my native South Africa, barefoot children cannot attend school. Shoes are their admission ticket. For the second year, the race fees for Willow’s 5K will help provide kids with school shoes. It’s more than leather and laces; these shoes provide an education—and a future.”
April 20: Willow Creek 5K Run for Shoes
More than 3,300 participants (including 500 runners at Willow Creek’s regional campuses) participated in the inaugural run of the Willow Creek 5K last year.
“It was one of the most festive, joyful events we’ve held in my years at Willow,” says Heather Larson, director of Willow’s Compassion & Justice ministry, which sponsors the event. “Runners and walkers of all ages turned out. Elite runners, families walking, participants in wheelchairs, parents pushing strollers—all standing in solidarity with kids in poverty around the world. It was a powerful experience.”
“We chose the distance of five kilometers for a reason,” Paul adds. “Many children must walk an average of five kilometers, three times every day, to carry water for their families. As people make their way around Willow’s course, they can imagine being a kid, carrying jugs of water that distance—three times a day!”
The race also kicks off Willow’s 2013 Celebration of Hope campaign.
“People can participate in the race Saturday morning, and then come back to the first Celebration of Hope service that night,” says Heather.
Invite your friends and neighbors
“Our inaugural race was so well organized, it really built strong credibility in the running world,” says Paul. “And it turned out to be a great event for people who had never been to Willow. Several racers last year told me afterward, ‘If this is the excellence with which Willow does a 5K race, I would love to hear what they have to say about God.’”
This year’s race is again USATF-certified, and participants receive their certified race times via chips in their running bibs.
“We were so blown away by last year’s huge turnout,” Paul says, “we’ve made a significant increase in our capacity this year. We’re adjusting some race-day logistics so we can accommodate up to 5,000 participants. The more people participate, the more kids we can help.
“So many kids across the world feel forgotten. We want to show them God has not forgotten them. Whether you’re running or walking or pushing a stroller, you can help provide kids with shoes—and show them they are not forgotten.”
Willow Creek 5K Run for Shoes race details
RACE DAY: Saturday, April 20
ONLINE REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Monday, April 15
TWO LOCATIONS: Willow Creek’s central campus (South Barrington) and Willow Creek Huntley (Both races are USATF-certified and help raise money for shoes.)
TO PARTICIPATE: Visit the 5K page for details on both races
