The Color Blast 5K has consistently been Owensboro’s largest race, and Team Madelyn Rae continues to be one of the largest teams to run the 3.1 miles, raising awareness for those with different abilities.
Team Madelyn Rae is headed by Courtney VonGunten, who lost her daughter — the team’s namesake — in March 2013.
During an ultrasound, VonGunten learned her daughter would have a cleft lip. It wasn’t until Madelyn was born that VonGunten found out her daughter had holoprosencephaly (HPE), a type of birth defect in which the brain does not divide into two separate halves during development as it should. This condition is characterized by a difference in facial features and often a cleft lip or palate. Madelyn was also diagnosed with Chromosome 18p deletion. These two diagnoses often go hand in hand, and both are known to cause a delay in development, speech, and cognitive skills. Some children with similar diagnoses never even make it out of the hospital. Her parents were informed that Madelyn would probably never be able to walk, talk, feed herself, or comprehend information.
When the first anniversary of her daughter’s death approached in 2014, VonGunten and family members were trying to think of different ways to honor her memory.
“What better way than during a race that celebrates the positive impact individuals with special needs have on our lives?” VonGunten said.
Puzzle Pieces Executive Director Amanda Owen said she and the other organizations that put on the Color Blast are honored that Team Madelyn is a part of the event, paying tribute to a special little girl.
Owen said the teams’ specially designed shirts and the excitement to be together are always anticipated by race organizers.
“They have been a team that hasn’t missed a year,” Owen said. “We always know they will be a contender for one of the largest teams, while bringing such happiness around their team. It is such an honor as the facilitator to know we have families likes Courtney’s dedicated to raise awareness for our community.”
VonGunten said the last couple years Team Madelyn Rae has placed third and this year was no different. With 47 team members racing this year, the group raised $1,200.
“Our team is made up of family and friends,” VonGunten said. “It’s always so special for me to see that we are not a business, or school or organization and yet, we still have one of the largest teams just because Madelyn had such a large impact on so many people in her short little time here.”
