The 2nd annual Keith L. Young Memorial race will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2010.  This race will be held in memory of Keith Young who passed away from a heart arrhythmia in 2008 on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend while training for a marathon relay.  His goal in life was to serve others and make them happy, whether it was shoveling the neighbor’s walk, stepping in to do another’s job at work, or cooking dutch oven so that others could enjoy a fabulous meal.  Because of his generosity and concern for others we have organized a non-profit organization called the Keith L. Young Memorial Foundation.

The 1^st annual Keith L. Young Memorial race was a huge success.  We had 389 participants in the race, about half walkers and half runners.  In addition, we had over 20 volunteers helping on the day of the race to make this event go well.  Through very large donations from businesses and individuals like you, we were able to donate over $6,500 to the SADS Foundation.  We thank all those who were so generous and made it possible for this event to be so successful.  Our goal this year is to top 400 participants, and continue to make this event one of the largest 5k events in the state of Wyoming. 

We would like to continue the race as a yearly event that Green River and Sweetwater County will be proud of, with all monies donated to the race to be used to help cover costs of funding this large undertaking and all remaining proceeds to be donated to Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS). Three of Keith’s children have been diagnosed with long QT Syndrome, an arrhythmia in the heart that is associated with syncope and sudden death related to ventricular arrhythmias.  There are over 4,000 sudden cardiac deaths in young people each year.  The long QT syndrome is a treatable genetic cardiac disorder and has been referred to as a silent killer.  The SADS foundation is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah and does a tremendous job in filling the mission of the group: “To identify those who may be genetically predisposed to sudden death due to cardiac arrhythmias, and thereby help save and improve the lives of children and young adults.” 

A member of the Foundation or a volunteer for the race will be happy to pick up any donations you can make or you can mail the donation to David Young at 810 Easy Circle, Green River, WY   82935.  All sponsors will be recognized at the event.  NEW THIS YEAR: Those donating $500 or more will have their name and logo on the race T-shirt, a large banner hung at the race, two free race entries and two additional race T-shirts.  Sponsors donating at least $250 will have their name printed on the race T-shirts, as well as two free race entries.  Donation checks should be made payable to:  Keith L. Young Memorial Foundation.  In order to be listed as a sponsor on t-shirts, donations need to be received by May 1, 2010.  If contributions are received after that date, we will make sure you are listed on our 2011 shirts.  If you would like to donate prizes for racers and door prizes, those are welcome too.  These prizes were surely appreciated by all at last year’s race and helped to bring name recognition to those business who participated.

We appreciate your time and any support that you might be able to give for this great event to celebrate and remember Keith’s love of life, his love of running and his service to others.  Also, remember the advice Keith gave to his children as they would run with him:  “When running up hill pick up your knees; when running into the wind put your head down; when running down hill coast and make up ground;, when you don’t think that you can run any farther, hold on to my shirt and I’ll pull you along.”

Sincerely, Keith L. Young Memorial Race Committee