Kenton Iwaniec

2012 Takeoff Memorial 5k/10k

On Saturday my mom, sister, Jimmy, and I headed out to St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA to run a 5k (for mom & Hannah) and a 10k (for me).

Hannah and I ran this race last year and it meant so much to us to do it again this year. The race was in honor of PA State Trooper Kenton Iwaniec who was killed in 2008 by a drunk driver.Trooper Iwaniec’s family created the Takeoff Memorial 5k/10k to honor DUI victims, raise awareness about impaired driving, and to encourage the community to have a positive influence in the reduction of impaired driving.

All of the proceeds from the race go towards the purchase of breathalyzers for the PA State Police & other enforcement agencies. I love that the Iwaniec family took a really sad situation and turned it around, into something positive.

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Last year the race was very rainy, windy, and cold. This year the race was only overcast and it was fairly warm– in the mid 50’s!

My 10k results– Time: 44:43 (7:13 pace) Place: 1st in the 15-19 age group and 13th overall.

Hannah’s 5k results- Time: 26:42 (8:37 pace) Place: 5th in 15& under age group and 112 overall.

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Crazy 10k recap

On Saturday I was blessed enough to run a race in memorial of PA State Trooper Kenton Iwaniec. This race is in honor of an amazing (24 year old) man who had his life stolen in 2008 by a selfish drunk driver. He was a trooper, son, brother, and fiancée. All of that was taken away from him and his loved ones by a dumb decision. I encourage you to read his story on his website.

I was in tears most of the morning because of all of the special people at this race who truly care about getting rid of drunk driving. I wish I could explain more, but i’m just really upset and speechless. Please keep his family in your prayers.

This race led me to think about this scripture in Ecclesiastes:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:  a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2  

*I suppose all that I can say it that I don’t know WHY things like this happen, but they are in God’s plan and there is a time for everything under the heavens.*

Needless to say, I was so happy to participate in this special, special event. Did anyone catch the weather in Pittsburgh this morning? 50mph winds SAY WHAT?! I am seriously NOT exaggerating.

Along with the 50mph winds was also some insane pelting rain and hail. My sister and I felt pretty hard core. 😉 Hannah ran the 5k and I ran the 10k.

Can you spot us?! (Pink jacket and brown jacket!!) About 2,000 people showed up (despite the wicked weather) to race and honor Kenton.

I honestly have never ran in weather like this before and it was a blast and just super crazy!! I felt like I was running in place for the whole race.

So there ^ is my time. I’m sure it isn’t great (this was my 1st 10k) but I don’t care. I wasn’t there to run for myself and the weather was insane 🙂

Hannah and I both placed 1st in our age groups.

After the race we headed home, ate lunch and I literally did homework all day today. But it feels so good to be a little bit caught up in the academic department. Woot! Tomorrow we have family coming in from upstate NY. This should be a very fun week!

Do you ever feel sooo relieved once you get caught up with hw/work/house work? Or am I just weird… ? LOL 😉

Have a great rest of the weekend!!