2008 Articles

Some people run a race to win, some run for fitness, but some run for a cause. All of those people came out on Saturday, October 11th for the 10th annual “Run 4 Kathy”. Who was Kathy and why do we run for her? Kathy Popp-Long was my sister and she died of cervical cancer at the too young age of 36. She was also a teacher in Prince George’s County, a mother of three girls, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a cousin, a friend. We all loved her. So while we were grieving her too short life, two of her husband’s cousins decided to hold a race to earn money for cancer research. This would give us another time to be together with all the family and friends who missed her, and do something positive for a good cause in her name.

Ken Long and his sister, Kathleen Lineberger, were both runners, so when they first proposed the idea of a race, all of the relatives were excited. We all volunteered our time to set up, get sponsors, find prize donors, man the stations and whatever else was needed. We were legion and we wanted to “Run 4 Kathy”. We had no idea how much work would be involved! Ken and Kathleen put us into action, found more volunteers, gave their time and used their knowledge of what a good race should be. The first run was a success with over 165 runners. There were runners for the 5K and people who signed up for the 1 mile “fun run” around Allen’s Pond. A DJ provided music to set the pace. There was food and water for the runners, face-painting and activities for the children. Many prizes were given in each of the age categories. Pictures of Kathy and her family were set up to remind us of why we were there and what we were running for. And of course, all of the money raised went to the Johns Hopkins cancer center. The race was such a success that we decided to repeat the event in hopes of raising $100,000 in Kathy’s name.

Over the next nine years Ken and his family worked, and we ran and we earned more money. Cancer survivors were encouraged to register and run for free. Families were encouraged to come out and run together. Parents pushed babies in strollers around the pond; little ones barely able to walk were all there. Some families came to support and remember their own cancer victims. Each year we got a little better at getting donations and having volunteers in place. We learned how much water is enough for a race and how much food to have ready. Families kept coming. Each year the Popp and Long families all met again. Kathy’s friends and neighbors all came back to work and volunteer, but there were always new faces too. Runners heard about the great course layout and the terrific prizes, and even though they knew nothing about our family or Kathy, they ran. Year after year more people came. We ran in good weather and rain; we ran when it was so cold the stickers wouldn’t stick to the children’s craft projects. When the sniper came to Washington, we postponed the race, but we still ran.

This was not just a race, it was an event. Whole families could come and have a good time. The Bowie community came out to support the racers and the cause. Even as the event grew to over 300 runners, it still remained a family affair. Ken was our head cheerleader. Sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles grandparents, in-laws all turned out to help. Many things have changed in the past ten years: we have new babies and our children are getting married. These additions are making the Popp and Long families bigger. But we are getting older, too. We hit our goal of $100,000 for cancer research this year as we watched the runners cross the finish line for the tenth time. Thank you, Ken for all your hard work. We will never forget our sister, but thanks to you, over 2,100 people involved over the years will remember her too. It has been a huge amount of work, but it has been an amazing race.

The perfect weather Saturday, Oct. 11 helped attract a near record crowd for the final installment of the Run for Kathy that has been held every year for the last decade. The event kicked off with a one-mile fun run at Allen Pond in Bowie, followed by a 5K race. The fun run buzzed with enthusiasm as children of all ages tried to contain their energy long enough for the race to start. A knot of blonde and brown-haired buzz cut boys practiced their starts while talking in quick bursts of energy. “I believe there’s between 20 and 25 cousins and cousins related by marriage here in the race,” said Terri Moroney, of Elkridge, who contributed some of her brood to the race. “Kathy was my cousin, and this event brings memories of her back. We miss her.”

The Run for Kathy finished a decade of fun and fund raising by making its final donations to a contribution of $100,000 to cervical cancer research at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Baltimore. From the beginning the event was as much about supporting family as it was about fighting a dreaded disease. The race was held in memory of Kathryn Popp Long, who passed away in 1999 at the age of 36. She succumbed to cervical cancer.

At the awards presentation, Mrs. Long’s three daughters, Adriane, Elizabeth and Caitlin Long, received plaques in memory of their mother. “When our family began the race 10 years ago, I was single,” said Ken Long, the event coordinator. “Now I am married, have four children and can appreciate what it would mean for children to be without a parent. We started this race in memory of her. She was a loving mom, a teacher, and a great person.

Kathryn Popp Long, was Ken’s cousin. He was ably assisted at the Oct. 11 event by two of his sisters: Kathleen Lineberger and Kelly Hershey. “We’ve been doing this event for 10 years, and it has been very fulfilling and inspiring,” said Long. “We’re very thankful for the volunteers and sponsors over the years who have made the event possible.”

Over the years more than 2,000 people have participated in the Run For Kathy as volunteers, sponsors, and participants. The 2008 event had more than 300 people sign up for the races, one of the highest numbers ever.

The nearly perfect weather provided ideal conditions for the 5-kilometer- (3.1 mile) race that began at Allen Pond and wound its way through the streets adjacent to the park. Both the male and female winners set course records. Matt Straughn, who lives in Glendale, was the winner of the men’s event with a time of 16:12, and Cate Fenster was the first women finisher with a time of 18:05. Iain Banks, was the first Bowie finisher. He finished third overall with a time of 17:01. “The people here are great,” said Straughn, who appreciated the relaxed friendly atmosphere. “It’s one of the better races I’ve participated in, and it’s for a great cause.”

Not only did Long hand out medals for the winners in each age group, be he also distributed a number of valuable prizes from local businesses to participants. Gift coupons from Bowie restaurants, merchants, and apparel were some of the items distributed.