About a dozen DDIP’ers ran the Manna-on-Main Street 5K Race for Hunger on this cold and windy morning. It rained down bucket-loads over the past couple days, which was an intimidating prelude to the event. But we showed up and kicked anus!

We conducted a motivating warm-up before the start of the race and then cheered on children and families, who were running the 1 Mile Fun Run. The Baysquatch Platoon then stepped off on the 5K, running in columns of two for the duration of the event. Our strategy was a combination of 30-30-30’s, slingshot runs and shuffling to cadence. This kept us motivated and passed the time. Many runners, road guards and lookers-on shouted encouraging remarks about our spirited cadence.

The sun began to smile upon us, it’s rays of warmth penetrating the clouds and touching down in Lansdale. I feel like we willed this in a way, through a community of teamwork and the positive mission of feeding the needy in our community. Mission Accomplished!

As a finale, we battled the likes of Shoprite, Rotary Intl and Manna staff in the Shopping Cart Challenge. Though we had a very fast and capable team assembled, Shoprite once again took the title. Three years running now, I believe.

Words of encouragement for those who regard themselves, “not a runner,” or who are intimidated however slightly of athletic pursuits, there’s NOTHING TO IT BUT TO DO IT! Use this first or most recent event as a motivational springboard for other challenges.