A race that takes place all over the world to benefit Africa is coming to Harford County, all with the help of Mrs. Sharalyn Heinly.
One World Run is a race in association with Project AIDS Orphan that gives its money directly to Mission House of Hope. They look to help children in East Africa who are orphaned by the AIDS epidemic by providing food, healthcare, housing, and education.
Heinly didn’t know about One World Run until her daughter, who was going to school in Tennessee, met the board members of the Project AIDS Orphan organization and decided to run in the race being held there. Heinly saw it as a great community-based way to help other countries in need.
“The One World Run is a 5k that can happen in any neighborhood in the world,” Heinly said.
She has been organizing the race since 2010. Her son Josh, who currently lives in China, will be gathering a few friends to help organize one in his area as well this year.
People from as far as Bowie, Maryland, and York, Pennsylvania, come to run in the race held at Norrisville Rec Complex. Around 80-140 people run in the race, and even walk it.
“We have had as young at runners for the kids’ run who are 2 years old. My mother has been the oldest at the age of 76. She will be walking it again this year at 77 years old,” said Heinly.
Although she runs every year, this year she will be forced to stand on the sidelines and watch. Due to a rock climbing accident this summer that broke her back and neck, she is prohibited from running for a full year.
“Being out of my normal school routine and not able to set up the running club at the middle school, our registration is very low at this time. I hope that my mishap doesn’t adversely affect a way our community can help others. I have advertised at every walking/running/biking trail I could think of, and have tried to get the word out about the run. I have emailed all of last year’s participants to let them know that the race will take place, as many thought we wouldn’t be doing it this year because of me breaking my neck and my back. I hope that doesn’t cause a low turn-out,” said Heinly.
In the past three years, the charity race has raised over $11,000 for the noble cause of helping needy children in Africa. The organization is completely non profit, and relies heavily on the donations of others.
“Because our race is corporately sponsored, all of the registration fees go to the House of Hope and the Kattito Health Clinic in Kenya. No one is paid for the work that goes into the race. We will also be giving the Kindness Award in trophy form this year. This goes to people who get sponsors and earn extra money than their race fees,” said Heinly.
The run will be hosted at the Norrisville Rec Center on November 23, 2013 at 9am.. Same day registration will begin at 8 am and costs $35 per person, and $20 for the kids’ fun run, which is only a mile long.