Laurel Run
July 20-21, 2012
This annual event was created by Wayne and Elaine Hotelling in tribute to their oldest daughter, who has Down syndrome. Laurel Run is a celebration of the achievements of people with disabilities.
Laurel Run takes place over the course of two days. Day 1 consists of a relay run from Jamestown to Dunkirk, featuring students, teachers and administrators from area schools running the various relay legs. Day 2 takes place in the Hotellings’ hometown of Silver Creek and includes an 8-kilometer running race, a 5-kilometer fitness walk, a 1-kilometer fun walk, children’s fun runs, and a motorcycle dice run, followed by a party in the Village Square. The signature event is Laurel’s Lap, in which anyone with a disability is invited to take a lap around the track at the village ballfield. Laurel’s Lap gives people with disabling conditions their moment in the sun, and onlookers have shed more than a few tears as they cheer people across the finish line.
Proceeds from Laurel Run support TRC’s disability awareness, prevention and early intervention efforts. Money raised through Laurel Run also is used to enhance employment and work training opportunities for adults with disabilities like Laurel, so that they may become productive, contributing members of society and experience the feelings of pride and satisfaction that come from earning real wages for performing meaningful work.
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