How many times in your life do you enter win-win situation?  When the first Lawton Runathon took place last year, many people in Ann Arbor got to do exactly that.  This year, kids and adults will get a chance to do it again.  Runners and volunteers will be able to exercise with family and friends, while raising money for a good cause at the Lawton Elementary School on South Seventh Street in Ann Arbor on Sept. 20.

Proceeds from the event are split between the Lawton Parent Teacher Organization and the John R. Crosby Memorial Foundation.  John was a third-grader at Lawton when he died from adrenocortical carcinoma, a type of cancer, in October of 2001.  Today, John's parents, Paula and Walt Crosby, along with their children, Walter and Henry, keep John's memory alive through the foundation's donations to various programs at Mott's Children's Hospital and the University of Michigan Cancer Center.  "We try to touch upon the areas that we were helped by," says Paula Crosby.

In addition to raising money, the foundation makes a serious effort to find material goods.  "through out the year, we collect and donate fleece blankets, books, toys, craft items, etc.  We have been fortunate that people feel the need to help supply these donations. We, in turn, have the experience to know what is needed," she says.

"The foundation is continuing to evolve as we find more ways to benefit Mott and pediatric cancer causes," says Walt Crosby.  "The number of specific programs we donate to has grown as we become more aware of the needs of all the support programs.  A good example of this is the renovations of the eighth-floor kitchen, which is used for patient and family support.  Through partnership with Junior League, the foundation donated furniture and made a commitment to keep the shelves stocked.  We also became aware of a new event, `the Major Leaguers for Mott' that involved the Detroit Tigers.  The foundation purchase tickets for pediatric cancer patients and their care givers so they could attend."

Participants in the Lawton Runathon must fill out pledge forms.  Money raised will go to programs such as the one that helps families deal with the stress of hospitalization and the Giving Library Cart, which supplies new books to patients.  "John loved to read," says his mother.  "Every day that John was hospitalized, the Giving Library Cart would come to his room.  He had a passion for all books, especially the Bailey School Kids books."

Donations also go to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and the university's Comprehensive Cancer Center .  According to the Crosbys, the foundation is also currently giving to the Adrenal Cancer Center to help with the research on new protocols that are being developed.  "Adrenal cancer is very rare," says Paula Crosby.  "The chances are about 1 in 10 million for a child to be diagnosed with this type of cancer. Treatment options are very limited."

Money raised from the runathon also goes to the Lawton PTO, which helps to maintain equipment and supplies at the school.

Last year's Runathon raised more than $12,447 for these causes.  Karen Gerhart and Kim Hughes, the events chair people, are forecasting an even better year.  "We are anticipating 300-400 participants this year," says Hughes. "To have it reach 500 would be a dream come true."

In the weeks leading up to the event, runners get friends, neighbors, family and co-workers to donate a specific amount of money.  There is no rate based upon the number of laps the participant runs.

Most runners last year completed more laps than they planned. "I noticed the children achieved above and beyond their hopes," says Hughes.  The festive atmosphere became contagious as people stayed just to run with friends who showed up through-out the day.

Runners who turn in $25 or more in pledges will receive a free water bottle.  Official Lawton Runathon T-shirts are available for order and on the day of the event.  All runners receive a ribbon for participating. For kids who want a goal to reach, medals are awarded for running a certain number of laps, based upon their grade.  Running twice those laps earns a trophy.  For the really ambitious, completing 100 laps merits a jumbo trophy.

"Last year, the medals and trophies were huge inspirations for the walkers," according to Hughes. "they found out how many laps it took to achieve these goals and worked until they reached that level.  Walking with friends and family and the cheers from the lap counters spurred them on to keep walking.  At the end of the day, they were so proud of the distance they walked.  Of course, many wanted to keep up with Mr. [Mike] Stewart (the physical education teacher) and Mrs. [Ruth] Williams (the principal)."

The track is one-fifth of a mile long, but runners are allowed to take breaks. You can come to run at 9 a.m., take a break and listen to music on the playground at 10, leave for a soccer game at 11, return at 2 to run some more, break at 2:45 for a hot dog, then run some more at 3:15 until the event ends at 4 p.m.

Those who just want to walk the track are welcome, and volunteers are needed to help with setup, takedown, refreshments, music, checkout, delivery of donations and lap counting.  "Last year, we had about 100 volunteers," Gerhart says.

For information, call Paula and Walt Crosby at 734-761-9688 or the Lawton school office at 734-994-1946.  For information visit www.johnrcrosby.org.

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