GOPEDS race – ‘This is bringing us all together’

Five-year-old Oliver Holman just finished the big race. He had a big medal with a yellow ribbon around his neck to prove it. The Bettendorf boy proudly showed off the racing medal to everybody around him. That’s because he had just completed the Genesis Outpatient Pediatric Therapy Center (GOPEDS)  version of the Arconic Junior Bix […]

Five-year-old Oliver Holman just finished the big race. He had a big medal with a yellow ribbon around his neck to prove it. The Bettendorf boy proudly showed off the racing medal to everybody around him. That’s because he had just completed the Genesis Outpatient Pediatric Therapy Center (GOPEDS)  version of the Arconic Junior Bix run on Wednesday afternoon, July 17.

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“This is bringing us all together. That’s something we need today,” said Michael Holman, Oliver’s father, after his son completed the race held outside the Genesis Medical Park building at 2535 Maplecrest Road, Bettendorf.   Oliver was one of about 75 area children to run in one of the three races on the day. The event was for young special needs patients of GOPEDS. Many of the children at the event have mobility issues because of injury, autism, cerebral palsy or other conditions. In addition to the young racers, the event attracted hundreds of parents, friends and volunteers to encourage the young runners participating in the day’s events. Those events included a full race – or one lap around the medical building; a short race that took place in front of the building; and a sensory-friendly race for youngsters who don’t like the noises and the cheering of the crowd. Instead of cheering, spectators showed their support by blowing bubbles. “This is all about making this as big and exciting to (the kids) as possible,” said Katie Powers, Genesis Pediatric physical therapist and one of the event organizers. “The kids feel comfortable here because it's a familiar environment. … This has become one of their traditions.” One of Ms. Powers’ duties on race day was helping the children get ready to run. Before the start of the first race, she led the crowd of runners in a quick series of warm-up exercises. Ms. Powers added that for some of the young runners, Wednesday’s event will be a practice run for the upcoming Arconic Junior Bix, which begins at 6 p.m. Friday, July 26, as part of the Quad-City Times Bix 7 race events. (The Bix 7 race starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 27.) However, many of the youngsters don’t like big crowds and the loud noises that come with the Junior Bix; so, the Wednesday event was their race day. The many volunteers helping out at the race made sure the event looked much like a Junior Bix. Volunteers handed out race T-shirts and numbered bibs before the race, and big, colorful medals, water and popsicles after the races. There also were volunteers from the Running Wild Elite team to help the young runners during the races. One of those Running Wild helpers was Marie Feehan, who was volunteering at the event for the first time. “I love being involved in this event…. I just jumped at the chance to help the kids,” she said. Many of the parents also jumped at the chance to get their children involved in the races. One of those parents was Sarah Creighton of Davenport. She was at the event with her 7-year-old son, Owen, who was taking part in the GOPEDS run for a third year. “This is a wonderful event. … I just love seeing the kids get a chance to race,” Ms. Creighton said. Tara Wilson of Moline and her daughter Vada, 14, are veterans of many past GOPEDS races. She said the event is a great way to help youngsters who want to get outside and run. “It’s a good opportunity to take part in a local sports event. … It’s a good, healthy event,” she added.