Sign Up to Run Past Pediatric Brain Cancer at 'Kortney's Challenge'

From the Kortney Rose Foundation:

Mark your calendars and grab your running shoes for the sixth annual “Kortney's Challenge” Two Mile Fun Walk/Run on Aug. 28 at .

The Kortney Rose Foundation is hosting the event, with help from 2011 Pink Corporate Sponsor Les Friedland Associates, LTD and Monmouth Park, to raise money for pediatric brain tumor research and awareness.

was a fun-loving nine-year-old girl from Oceanport who tragically died in 2006 from a terminal brainstem glioma. Her family created “Kortney’s Challenge” in her memory, proceeds from which helped build a playground at her elementary school.

The Kortney Rose Foundation has since continued to honor its namesake, donating over $378,000 to the pediatric brain tumor research program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

Rain or shine, the foundation invites you to once again take part in helping fight this devastating illness and celebrate Kortney’s love of life.

Top finishers of the race are given awards, but all participants will receive medals and prizes. Other attendees can enjoy morning activities, including tattoos and face painting which begin at 8:30 a.m.; a dance performance by the Dance Plus Performance Team takes place at 9 a.m. Free activities for kids start at 11:30 a.m. and include pony rides, balloon animals and bounce houses.

Entry fees are: $8 (12 & under--$10 after 8/21); $15 (13 & up--$20 after 8/21). T-shirts are guaranteed to entries received by 8/21, but are thereafter distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants can enter online or through the Kortney Rose Foundation website.

After the event, the foundation is hosting a designated Day at the Races picnic area with the Oceanport PBA. Tickets (which include food and drink) cost $25 per person, but participants in “Kortney’s Challenge” save $5 and children under 12 enter free. Tickets for this event are also available online.

While all proceeds go to CHOP, miles walked will be donated to the London-based International Brain Tumor Alliance’s Walk around the World for Brain Tumors which supports brain tumor advocacy groups. 

Participants in “Kortney’s Challenge” both contribute to this worthy cause and remember the spirited little girl who brought everyone together, making this both a fun and heartwarming experience.