Salvation Army holds first "We all bleed red" race

[October 16, 2017] 

LINCOLN

Saturday, October 14, the local Salvation Army held its inaugural "We all bleed red" race. The event took place in Kickapoo Park on what turned out to be a fairly nice autumn day in spite of initial predictions of rain.

Tony Shuff standing right

Salvation Army Director Tony Shuff said the race also marks their Red Kettle kickoff. Volunteers will start bell ringing and taking contributions on November 10.

The local Salvation Army helps support the needy in our community, assists with disaster relief, heads up Adopt a Family around the holidays, offers kids free camp all summer, and offers many other social services.

Tony Shuff said several volunteers have been trained in disaster relief services, and some runners who would have probably competed are helping with disaster relief for hurricane victims in Puerto Rico, Texas, and Florida.

Kathy Moore in red sweatshirt

Salvation Army volunteers Bill Dolan in blue shirt and Kathy Moore took part in the race. Moore said, "We do the best we can and keep busy serving. In one hour one day, we had twenty people come in for help. We also had five homeless families come in during a five-minute period one day."

Deiy Shuff standing left

Deiy Shuff, who helped head up the race, said it was a time to come together and embrace differences. We are all of one human race and we all bleed red, she said.

Tony Shuff said he hopes the inaugural race bleeds into other runs. He said, Acts 17:26 which says that "from one man [God] made all nations" is especially important today. Shuff said we are all one blood and it a time of so much hatred in the world, we need to remember it is not about skin color or other backgrounds. When we are cut, we all bleed the same red blood.

As racers lined up, Deiy Shuff welcomed everyone and thanked sponsors Resilient Premier Cleaning Services, Work Titan LLC, Kroger, ME Realty, and Shew's Design for helping make the race possible.

 Fifteen participants took part in the race with eight running a 5K race and seven walking 1.5 miles. Runners jogged along a bright orange marked route along the hiker's trail by the creek and bridge, through Boy Scout trail, and onto the main path. Walkers took the main path around the park.

The top racers overall were Albert Pierceall, Jackson Johnson, Casey Sowers, Erin Semple, and Lacy Telfeyan.

Overall race results can be found at http://results.itsracetime.com/results.aspx?CId=17095&RId=6100 

[Angela Reiners]