Race Director Suzie Hosman answers some questions about the 2013 Kidney Kare.
The Kidney Kare Run/Walk is right around the corner. We’re checking in with Kidney Kare Race Director Suzie Hosman, who is also a Research Administrator and Development Officer for the UNC Kidney Center. Suzie has been involved with the event since it began back in 2006.
What are you most excited about for this year’s Kidney Kare?
Suzie: I’m most excited about the number of new fund raisers this year and the team participation.
It seems like the event gets bigger every year. Has this been the case? Do you expect that for this year?
The event has been on an upward trend since the beginning. (There were 100 participants the first year.) More folks come out to celebrate loved ones with kidney disease, honor those who have passed, run fast times, hang out with friends and just have a good time.
What is the most rewarding part of race day for you?
I love the camaraderie of the event and the fact that it brings people together, also that the proceeds benefit a worthy cause.
Tell me about how participants are helping kidney patients by supporting this event.
A portion of each registration fee goes to the Kidney Education Outreach Program (KEOP) and Kidney Patient Emergent Need Fund. Since the inception of the race KEOP has provided more than 5,000 free kidney screenings throughout the state. Through the Kidney Patient Emergent Need Fund the UNC Kidney Center has been able to help countless individuals with things as basic as groceries and electric bills.
Tell me about the course.
The course is 5k’s of fun! It winds through Carrboro neighborhoods with a fast downhill grade and challenges folks at the end with a slight incline.
What is the most fun part race day for you?
The kids run always brings a big smile to my face.
What has the Kids Kare event been like? Is it chaos? Do the kids get really into it?
The kids event is a hoot! We usually have students from UNC Pharmacy, AKA, YMCA Leaders Club help us herd the “cats”. There are fun activities for kids to participate in prior to the race. Kids love to test themselves and the ½ mile run is the perfect place to do that.
What else would you like to add?
We are fortunate to continue to have support from Fleet Feet Carrboro, Open Eye Café, TCBY, Balloons & Tunes, Road ID, Crooks Corner, The Pig, McDonalds (Franklin St), Chapel Hill Tire (Carrboro location) and the Town of Carrboro.
I’m totally psyched for March 16. It’s going to be a great day!
To follow Suzie’s tweets leading up to the race, visit the Kidney Kare Twitter page here
For more information about the event, visit the Kidney Kare web site