Michelle’s Hot Peeps Beat CC 5k Continues to Make a Big Impact
This August was the eighth annual Michelle’s Hot Peeps Beat CC 5k Fun Run and Kids Dash in Taylor, Texas. John McDonald hosts this event each year in memory of his late wife, Michelle, who was passionate about fitness and loved sharing that passion with her community as a fitness instructor at the local YMCA.
This year, the race brought together new and seasoned runners alike. Jim, Runner 27, participated in the race for the first time and has run 101 marathons in 16 different states! Mary, Runner 22, has joined the race every year since it started. She has raced in every state in the country and every county in Texas. Mary honors her late husband Hal by setting up a chair for him at the finish line, because he used to always take pictures of her running into the finish line.
One of the most heartwarming stories from this year’s event was that John chose the color purple for the race t-shirt, a color he had not used before. One of John and Michelle’s friends shared that she was surprised it took 8 years for him to choose the color purple, because that was Michelle’s favorite color! John never knew that was her favorite color, and continues learning new things about her even now.
John’s race is one of the longest-running community fundraisers benefitting CCF. There were over 50 runners and over 100 sponsors who generously purchased bibs and provided support for the race. This year, the event raised an incredible $11,200 to support CCF’s mission to find a cure. It continues to be a pillar in his local community, bridging connections and leaving a legacy of hope for those impacted by cholangiocarcinoma.
