Stowsentry.com - Runner burns up 100-mile runs to raise money for hospital

by Tess Wolfe

Reporter

Stow -- Stow resident Kurt Osadchuk is heading for his third, 100-mile endurance run. Along with crossing the finish line, he wants to raise money for Akron Children's Hospital.

Last year, Osadchuk raised $2,238 for the hospital; so far this year, he has raised $1,624.

"It all started when I wanted to run for a good cause, and it just sparked the idea to start my own fundraiser," he said. "I'll probably have another $1,500 to $2,000 for them next year."

Osadchuk has been training for the Burning River 100, a long-distance run Aug. 2 and 3 that begins at Squire's Castle in Willoughby Hills and continues through the Metro Parks of the Cuyahoga River Valley to end in Falls River Square in Cuyahoga Falls. He is a member of the committee organizing the event.

"We're not talking flat," said Osadchuk. "We're talking some serious hills. There are some river crossings of up to a foot deep."

His 4-year-old daughter, Grace, provides his motivation to raise funds for the hospital, while Shelley, his wife, is "totally supportive" of his efforts, he said.

Osadchuk, who works in Cleveland, said he runs both during his lunch hour and after work.

"That's why I put in 50 miles on the weekend," he said. "I typically do 50 to 80 miles each week."

Between endurance-run fundraising, he maintains the same running schedule.

"I don't quit," said Osadchuk. "I figure, why lose what you've got."

Brian Hollingsworth, donor relations coordinator for Akron Children's Hospital, said Osadchuk is unusual in that he raises funds on his own, rather than by participating in organized fundraising runs.

"This is something I haven't seen before," said Hollingsworth. "It's kind of unique in that it's ongoing."

Hollingsworth said he met Osadchuk for the first time last spring.

"I think it's really cool that Kurt is doing this for us," he said. "He knows we're a good cause, and that we'll be here if he ever needs our services for his daughter."

For more information, visit www.amileforachild.com.

E-mail: twolfe@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3916