By Carina Branson/KSN-TV
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – A first-of-its-kind race in Wichita raised thousands of dollars over the weekend to help families overcome homelessness.
The Laps for Love Backyard Ultra challenged runners to complete a 4.167-mile loop every hour until they couldn’t continue. The race began at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
The winner — and last runner standing — was Jadyn StVrain, who completed 26 laps in 26 hours for a total of 108 miles. Second place went to Ryan Keeler with 25 laps, and third place to Trey Delaney with 24 laps.
Registration fees and donations benefitted Family Promise of Greater Wichita, a nonprofit that helps families with children overcome homelessness and housing insecurity.
Race director Joseph Hamer says the event shows the power of community support.
“It’s beautiful to watch runners want to give up, they come in, their people cheer them on, they warm them up, they give them food, they get them back to the starting line, and they do it again,” Hamer said. “That message tied to the families that are getting those resources through Family Promise is just a perfect analogy.”
Hamer says they hope to make the event even bigger next year.
This article was republished here with the permission of: KSNW-TV