It felt like a family reunion...

Our family purchased a home here in Arizona we have resided here for 4 years. Dr. Haynes told me about the run, my Family and relatives from Eden Prairie Minnesota joined us on the Sat. run and we all had a BLAST and the event was well run and Organized you would have thought you were at a family reunion. Those who planned the event and all of the hard Work that went into preparation I Thank You and we look forward to next year. Queen Creek is a Wonderful Community and my Well Wishes go out to London's Family and all the families struggling with this disease that has no partiality!

Asante Burton

Family Event

Last year, my daugher Sheridan and I participated; Sheridan did the 10k and I did the 2 mile run. It was our first event since we began jogging. I was so pleased to see families participating that I decided my whole family would participate the following year. My husband and I with our 4 children, plus 2 spouses and 5 grandchildren signed up for London's Run. Two daughers did the 10k and the rest of us walked. The two older grandchildren ages 3 and 5 did the 2 miles and the younger three were happy to be pushed in strollers.

Thank you for a lovely and worthwhile event.

Sherrill Toscano and family

Tyler Family Fan

I can not tell you how much I enjoyed the 1/2 marathon on Saturday... just a great "vibe" from the start (Yay! Rick Hale!) But I have to tell you that my favorite part was seeing the Tyler family... the first person I encountered was Juliet... I recognized her right off even though my connection with her was as her 5th grade teacher years ago! It was so great to see her, but when I got to the third water station and was in a BEVY of Tylers... well, I was overwhelmed with joy! To see Heidi and Justin... and their parents was so wonderful! I caught up later on with Holly and ended the race after a minute or two of running along side Noah!!! Having been lucky enough to be their teacher in one way or another (Keller through Mesa High) I felt so blessed to see them all again in an event that is so important to them.
I will never ever forget the extra "runner's high" I encountered that day... even those WICKED hills you guys mixed in were no match to the fantastic energy I was feeling!
Good work!
Craig Smith

"Cousins" Reunited

Thanks for a great event….this is our 2nd time running London’s Run (my wife Veda and I)and it gets better every year. I was able to complete the ½ Marathon in a PR and all along the way I keep seeing my cousin..Steve Stephens..on just about every corner. (I thought I was hallucination :-) But now I’ve come to find out that he was tracking his wife’s progress Jackie Stephens who came in first for females in our age group. I came in 3rd for our age group for males but I was unable to stay for the medal ceremony. Is there any way I can still receive my medal? Thanks again.

PS Steve’s not really my cousin we just work together and spell our last names the same way. But joking call each other cousin ever since we met. He’s white American and I’m African American

Cheers
Spider

Why We Like London's Run

I wanted to thank you for putting such a great race together. We had such a good time and it seemed as if you and your volunteers thought of just about everything. My 3 girlfriends and I ran our first 1/2 marathon this year at London's Run! When we were searching for the perfect first 1/2 marathon we came across your site and we thought what a great cause. We looked at the pictures from the previous years and it seemed like it was so family friendly. That is why we chose London's Run. These are the things we loved about London's Run:

It is a family affair
It means something because we are helping out families that are hurting
The course was extremely well marked
Loved the pictures of the families and children along the route...it helped motivate us!
REALLY appreciated the potties along the route!
The water, gatorade, and goo stations
The food, massages, entertainment, etc. after the race
And of course the magnificent weather! (not sure how much you had to do with that, but we appreciated it anyways!)

I want to thank you again for all the hard work you put into this event. I know that you do it because you have a big heart and you truly care about others and their needs. Thank you for a wonderful experience.
Sincerely,
Niki Clonts

Tribute to London's Mom

This was my first run that I ever participated in. The event was so organized from start to finish. It was so wonderful to see our community come together to support this amazing run for London and the Merkley family.

As I listened to London's mother speak at the event, it brought tears to me. She is a beautiful woman filled with so much courage. Her strength and hope is very encouraging. London was a very lucky girl to have such a special mother here on earth. It was truly and honor to hear her speak and to see how she continues to do something so wonderful in honor of her beautiful daughter to help other children.

My little girl Madisyn is 6 and we went to the table together to look at the memories of London. She was such a beautiful little girl. She now will ask questions about London when we are driving or see the signs. Madisyn loves butterflies and see noticed them on the signs.

It was an honor to be a part of such a wonderful run. I look forward to next year. May God bless you and bring comfort and peace.

Love
Cheri Dunlock

One Step At A Time

Thanks to all of you for your support at London's Run. It was a perfect morning, and we had an awesome turnout!

It was an incredible day, filled with common people doing uncommon things. As I ran the 10k, I found myself getting choked up to look out across the beautiful farm fields and see hundreds of you running for this common cause. If you ran, did you see those horses at the beginning of the race? They wanted to run along with us! It was as if they knew that this run was something special. It was something greater than just a bunch of people jogging.

The thing I love most about London's Run is that it reminds me that with all the bad news in the world - there is still good news. There are still good people willing to help others. There are still good people who are willing to go above and beyond, or try something new, just to help out others.

If London and her family have shown us anything, it is that it is possible to take negative life experiences and make them positive. It is all about our attitude, and our resolve. Turning the frown upside down doesn't happen overnight, it is a journey, that we take one step at a time. And we make that journey together.

I hope you all keep running, and that we will see you again next year!

--David Haynes, London's Uncle