“Everybody is just there to do whatever they can,” said Juliette Yamane of the second annual Can Do 5K/10K Race in Bothell on March 27.
Having attracted some 520 runners for the inaugural event last year, the Can Do is a fundraiser for Northshore Special Families, an all volunteer program which helps children with special needs and their families.
Yamane’s daughter Devon, 12, will be making her second appearance in the race.
“Last year was her first race ever,” said Yamane. “It was really exciting… You don’t always hear of a special needs child doing a race.”
Joining Mom and Devon in this year’s event will be several other members of the Yamane clan, including Devon’s grandfather, 78.
“It’s just something everybody can do,” Juliette Yamane said.
“I think its fun and enjoyable,” said Michael Tronson, 17, of participating in last year’s race.
“What I like most about this event is that it gives him the chance to take part in something with lots of other people,” said Michael’s mom Melanie Tronson.
One of two race organizers, Betsy Geib has said Northshore Special Families was launched in 2004. She added the group had been playing around with the idea of a run for a while and decided to go for it. The “Can Do” name just came to her and seemed to fit.
“We often are inspired by our kids and we want other people to be inspired as well,” she said.
Geib added there are clearly two purposes for the walk. Entrance fees will help raise money for the Northshore group, while the event itself will help raise awareness of the abilities of special needs children.
Stretching through Bothell, last year’s race route was dotted with posters celebrating and showing off the achievements of kids who used to be branded as handicapped.
“These kids can do a lot,” Melanie Tronson said. “Just give them the chance and they will show you.”
Northshore Special Families organizes numerous events throughout the year, from monthly potluck dinners to sibshops, where the siblings of special needs kids can come together at least three times a year. According to the Northshore Web site, one of the group’s flagship activities still is the annual Special Santa event featuring pictures with – of course – Santa, along with arts and crafts and other activities for the group’s children and their families.
The Can Do 5K/10K run actually consists of five and 10 kilometer runs, along with a 5K walk and a one mile walk. The event starts and stops at the Seattle Times North Creek building, near the intersection of 195th Street Northeast and 120th Avenue Northeast in Bothell.
According to planners, the course utilizes streets around the North Creek business park as well as the North Creek Trail.
Participants can register and pick up race packets the day of the event 7-8:20 a.m. Races and walks start at varying times, with the 10K being the earliest to kick-off at 8:30 a.m. Featuring quick races for age groups ranging from preschoolers to those in sixth grade, kids dashes start at 9:45 a.m.
Registration is now $30 for individuals, $55 for families and $30 each for team members. For full details and the full event schedule, go to the race Website at www.cando5k.org.
