KC Temple Run...it's all in the details

Shawna Tree of the Liberty Stake, who organized the Temple Run, sent this email:

The Committee:
Jeremiah Morgan - Stake President & Event Founder
Shawna Tree - Event Organizer & Director
Cindy McDavitt - Public Affairs & "In As Much Ministries" donation coordinator
Kate Shannon - Equipment
Isaac Freestone - Course Director
Chris Rasmussen - Award Stand & Clean up
Shirley Murdock - Food
Connie Plemons - Parking
Rachel Marble - Kids Run
Stephen Marble - Database
Lori Garcia - Web design & Photographer

Originally started as a simple Stake Activity, the Run quickly turned into a very large event.  We invited all 11 stakes in the Kansas/Missouri area as well as the community.  The news about the event spread by word of mouth and social media and we had over 1,700 participants by the first of April.  We had to close registration early due to the overwhelming response (due to our limited parking during the construction phase of the temple building).  This was a free run for everyone and also included donations for "In As Much Ministries", a local charity.  We had 149 volunteers which included 60 of our missionaries.  We had professional timing chips for the runners as well as commemorative medals for the top 3 finishers in the different age categories. There were also two kids' runs, a one-mile run and a 100 yard dash.

We were truly blessed with beautiful weather.

This event was an opportunity for families to be at the temple site during the construction phase of the temple.  Families drove from all over the area to participate; Kansas, St. Louis, Iowa and Texas.

The run was fun, exciting and most importantly...inspirational.  I know when runners were approaching the last mile, which was challenging for most, the temple came into view and was breathtaking.

I had the privilege to organize the 1st Annual Kansas City Temple Run 2011. I've never organized anything of this magnitude.  I spent about 45-60 hours a week for the last five months making sure everything was planned and progressing on schedule.  These were some long days but one thing which kept me motivated was the phone calls from the participants.  They would share stories about why they were coming to this event, or it was their first 5k run, or how thrilled they were to finally have a temple here in Kansas City. The excitement I heard in their voices was uplifting and touched me personally.  I'm very grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to the 2nd Annual Kansas City Temple Run...

Shawna Tree

Thank you Shawna and to your committee, from the bottom of all of our hearts, as well as all who participated, volunteered and worked their magic to create a memorable, worthy, inspiring event.  I know all who were able to be there are grateful and left with their testimonies strengthened.

If anyone has a story or photos of the KC Temple Run that they would like to share, please let us know!

We can't wait until next year!
(photos by Valerie Anderson)