18ten Run for Kids back for second year

When it comes to 5K and 10K races, there are a variety of different themes one race can undertake.

Some can be colorful and messy such as the Color Fun Runs while others get into the Halloween spirit with a Zombie 5K.

In fact, Wimberley has its own unique 5K on New Year’s Day where runners jump into Cypress Creek for a Polar Bear Plunge.

While there will be no colors spurted out, zombies chasing runners, or jumping into Cypress Creek, one 5K will look to be an event bigger than one’s self.

For the second year in a row, 18ten Run for Kids is back on Saturday October 15 as runners will look to traverse both Wimberley and Blue Hole Regional Park.

Just as the same as last year, all proceeds will go to 18ten Ministries whose mission is to help children who are in need outside of the United States according to program administrator Samantha Lingmafelter.

“It’s a nonprofit race that supports schools for disadvantaged kids in Nicaragua,” Lingmafelter said. “It’s our second year to do it and our ministry’s mission statement is that we respond to the need for disadvantaged kids in Central America. The way we do that is we have a school in Nicaragua, and we provide scholarships for the kids who live on less than two dollars a day. It’s a cool way to connect the Wimberley and surrounding communities with our mission in Central America.”

Along with more participants, one of the many changes to the race is the route has been extended for 10K runners also.

“We have a few more runners signed up this year,” Lingmafelter said. “In terms of the course, we are excited to partner with the City of Wimberley Parks and Rec who gave us permission to extend into Blue Hole for the 10K.”

This year, Run for Kids will include a post-race celebration complete with a bounce house, snacks, tacos among the other activities.

The proceeds will go towards everything needed for the school year as well as gaining a closer connection with Christianity.

“We provide tuition, nutritional lunches everyday, textbooks, backpacks, uniforms, school supplies, and transportation to and from the school,” Lingmafelter said. “We also believe in providing for both physical and spiritual needs, so we have bible classes along with mentors and staff who provide spiritual nourishment as well.”

While other countries also need help in the area, Nicaragua felt like an opportunity for 18ten Ministries to leave an impact.

“Our 18ten board of directors got together in 2013 and 2014 to start thinking about a region of the world that they wanted to make an impact in,” Lingmafelter said. “Yes, there is need everywhere and specifically they ended up taking a trip down there (Nicaragua) while noticing it was a region of the world where there was a lot of poverty. For example, about 30% of the population lives on less than two dollars a day whereas the cost of living is at four dollars a day. They just really prayed about it and thought this was an area close enough to us to where we could stay connected and provide oversight but also make an impact.”

While this will give an opportunity for 18ten Ministries to give back to their school, it is also an opportunity for the community to learn more about the organization’s mission.

“Overall it provides awareness for the community about what we are doing,” Lingmafelter said. “People can learn about what we are doing and can find more information about us. All of the amazing sponsors and partners of us made it possible, such as those who are participating, that all the funds are going directly to our school in Nicaragua…those funds will go towards textbooks and annual school supply expenses since schools run from February to November. “

For more information, visit the 18ten website at 18ten.org.