Sarah Duggan
Community Relations Director, Meadowlark
MANHATTAN, KAN. – The 16th annual Speedy PD Race for Parkinson’s Disease is Saturday, Aug. 24, at Tuttle Creek State Park. The race offers a Half-Mile Memorial Walk/Run, plus Don Rasmussen 5K, and 10 K courses.
Leading sponsors for the 2024 event include its presenting sponsor, Little Apple Cars, and Finish Line sponsor, Steel & Pipe Supply. Additional sponsors can be found on the Speedy PD webpage at www.runspeedypd.org.
Register for the event by visiting www.meadowlark.org. Packet pick-up will be Friday, Aug. 23, at Holiday Inn at the Campus from 4:30 to 7 p.m. On race day, packet pick up and registration is from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. at Tuttle Creek State Park. The Half-Mile Memorial Run/Walk will start at 8 a.m., and the 5K/10K races begin at 8:30 a.m. At 7:45 a.m. the VIPDs (Very Important People with Parkinson’s Disease) will sing the national anthem.
Funds raised from the event benefit Meadowlark Parkinson’s Program, which provides services at no cost to improve the quality of life in the Flint Hills region for all those affected by Parkinson’s disease (PD), including persons with PD, caregivers, therapists, nurses, and other providers. The 5K race is named for former program participant, Don Rasmussen.
When Don was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD) while living in Houston, his neurologist told him something that could have broken anyone's spirit: "Make your bucket list; you have five good years." But Don wasn't just anyone. He and his wife, Bea, moved to Meadowlark shortly after his diagnosis, and instead of retreating, they jumped headfirst into the PD Program’s services and activities.
Don quickly became a beacon of hope and action, serving as the founding person with PD on the Leadership Team. His influence helped shape the program, set goals, and create new activities that continue to benefit so many today. But Don's passion didn’t stop there. As an avid runner, he was instrumental in establishing the Speedy PD Race, participating actively in its first 13 years. . His mantra, "Parkinson's may win the fight, but I'm going to WIN EVERY ROUND," became the rallying cry on the VIPD shirts and a testament to the power of resilience.