Three years ago Tracy McClard, a mother from Missouri, began a 5K Walk/Run as a memorial to her son Jonathan, who committed suicide while being held in an adult facility. Tracy wanted to bring attention to the plight of young people charged, tried and sentenced as adults. She hoped this idea would take off and someday and be held nationwide. Tracy’s dream will become a reality in October 2010 with the first annual national Walk/Run for Youth Justice! We need others to join us in making this a true national event: every state needs an organization or individual to sponsor the run. It's easy to organize! If you are thinking of being a sponsor, here are some helpful tips:

• Volunteer at another race
• Secure sponsors
• Plan the venue and the race course
• Get volunteers to help you on race day
• Post flyers all over town (beginning in September)
• List the race under community events in your local paper (in September or October)
• Be sure to visit local fitness businesses to hang your flyer
• Call local news station to see about promotion
• Start planning what you want to put in the race bags besides t-shirts and the runner's number: information about transfer, fact sheets, personal stories, etc.

So far the following people have stepped forward as sponsors:

California
Malachi Garza - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Illinois
Grace Warren - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Louisiana
Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Missouri
Tracy McClard - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
If you would like to join Tracy's run on the 24th of October you can register for $12 now at caperoadrunners.org or $15 the day of.

North Carolina
Sadric Bonner - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ruth Ann Foster - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Oregon
Sheila Montgomery - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Virginia
Almeta Harrington - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wisconsin
Vicky Gunderson - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it