The 33rd annual Kirk Goodwin Run, an event purposed to aid those with outstanding medical needs within the community, is now open for registration.
The inspiration for the event comes from Kirk Goodwin, who was involved in a fatal car accident in late 1983. Goodwin died after being on life support for a few days following the accident. He was part of the 1983 pledge class for Galaxy Men’s Social Club.
Members of Goodwin’s social club wanted to help his family pay their outstanding medical bills. To put their desire into action, they held a fun run in 1984 for the Goodwin family.
Monty Tuttle (’75), fellow member of Galaxy, married Goodwin’s sister in 1989. Though he never met Goodwin, Tuttle has long been an active participant in the event in support of his social club and his family.
“Though I never met Kirk, I feel like I know him,” Tuttle said. “It means the world to my family not only that Kirk is remembered, but that he is remembered in such an impactful way that serves people who have found themselves in similar situations.”
Each year Galaxy picks someone in the community who has outstanding medical costs and donates the proceeds of the Kirk Goodwin Run to this individual and his or her family. In the past, the Kirk Goodwin run has raised $30,000 for Medical Care Missions (2014), $10,000 for students involved in a fatal car accident (2013) and $7,000 for those involved in the agriculture department’s fatal bus accident (2012). Since 1984, the run has raised over $200,000 total.
This year the proceeds go to 13-year-old Mckenzie Flemming who has been battling cancer for the majority of her life.
Connor Dale, senior finance major from Dallas, is the Galaxy member in charge of coordinating this year’s run.
“This coming June is her next surgery, and so that’s where this money is really going to help out,” he said. “It’s guaranteed that this money is going to a good cause.”
The Kirk Goodwin Run is scheduled for April 23. Participants can register for the original 5K course or the West Half Marathon, added in 2014. Registration fees are $25 for the 5K and $60 for the half marathon.
