MentorKids is gearing up for their 3rd Annual Rugged Race — a Tough Mudder-style endurance event — and this year they are adding divisions for children. The race will take place this Saturday at Diamond Lake Resort.
The traditional 3.1-mile course has 26 obstacles — including a varied combination of lakes, rope climb, an Army crawl, military-style climbing walls, and various areas filled with mud — for the adults. This year, race organizers also wanted to ensure the youth have something to enjoy on the roughly mile-long back end of the course.
The two youth divisions will be for those ages 4 to 7 and 8 to 11. They’ll have a handful of obstacles from the main course including the slip ‘n’ slide, a balance beam, and of course the signature mud.
“I’m so excited because kids are at the heart of what we do,” said MentorKids Executive Director Berly Tillman Sullivan. “We love the fundraiser, we love everybody coming out and supporting, but just to see the kids out there working for something, competing alongside their peers, to be outside to be active to be off their cell phones, that to me is what I’m most excited about.”
Sullivan said they have already seen nearly 200 racers register for the competition. She and her team are spending the final days leading up to the race preparing all the various sections of the course.
The race is taking sign-ups until the start of the race at 7 a.m. Saturday. Those interested can sign up or find more information on the race website here.
Sullivan said that while the race is fun and exciting, it is also a major fundraiser for the organization to continue their efforts year-round — which she said is important more than ever coming out of the pandemic.
“We need this funding because we need to expand our programs. The kids coming out of the pandemic are not the same, and we need to really come alongside them and let them know that they are not alone,” she said.
Sullivan’s passion to help children is extended to the her staff. Mentors and mentees commit to spending at least one hour per week with each other.
“Just being able to help people every single day, I don’t think there’s a day that we leave here that we have not just absolutely helped somebody in some way,” said Executive Assistant Lydia Holt.
MentorKids offers a variety of programming throughout the year, all at not cost to the families. Sullivan said it’s essential to maintain free services for the community as 90% of the kids in the program are below the poverty line.
“Everything that we do is off of donations, communities, support and fundraisers and so that is why this race is so crucial to us,” Sullivan said.
Those interested in finding out more about services or wanting to volunteer can call 270-926-6893 or visit the office at 2815 Veach Road.
