The Kevin Gray Father’s Day 5k run-walk on Saturday, June 14, at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan., was created to honor the former KC Sports Commission president and father of four daughters, Kevin Gray.
Gray died on June 15, 2011, from a rare form of cancer. The run-walk started in 2012.
“Family and sports were very important to Kevin,” said President and CEO Kathy Nelson. “We honor his memory with this Father’s Day 5K Run by combining sports and celebrating all fathers.”
This run has three beneficiaries, the University of Kansas Cancer Center, the Kevin Gray Family Education Fund, and the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation.
The University of Kansas Cancer Center is dedicated to the discovery, development and implementation of knowledge, technology and novel therapeutic agents for the treatment and prevention of adult sarcomas.
The Kevin Gray Family Education Fund was established to help offset expenses for Kevin and Katy’s four daughters to complete their educations. Caroline and Peepers are in college (currently in their junior and freshman years) and Gigi is a high school junior. Lindsay recently graduated college. Nothing was more important to Kevin Gray than these four young ladies.
The third beneficiary is the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation which Kevin was the president from 1989 until 2011. Kevin led the revitalization of the Sports Commission from a one-person office to a multifaceted, privately-funded, nonprofit operation that includes year-round programming, services and initiatives, more than 20 annual events, more than 200 individual and business members, and 12 full-time associates.
Online registration is open until June 11. Registration will still be accepted on Friday, June 13, at packet pickup and on race day. The run starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 14 at Sporting Park. To register go to SportKC.org.
“This is a great event for the entire family to enjoy together,” said Sarah Dee, director of events. “Dads who register will receive a special shirt just for them. We also have a kids fun run for the little ones.”
Volunteers are needed for various volunteer job opportunities including packet pickup and registration, course monitors, water station, finish line food/water, and chip removal. Individuals who register to volunteer will receive a T-shirt. For more information about volunteering go to the website at SportKC.org.
The Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation is a 100 percent privately-funded nonprofit that benefits the Kansas City region through sports by creating, attracting and managing major sporting events for Kansas City, and, promote the lifetime benefits of sports for youth through educational initiatives, tournaments and clinics.
