Upcoming race to raise funds for Priebe family, Special Olympics

October race, run hosted by Republic Community Action Team already boasts 400 entrants
 
Priebe Strong 1062, a racing event that is being hosted by the Republic Community Action Team (RCAT), will take place at the Republic Community Center on Saturday, Oct. 24. The event will feature a Family Mile walk/run, 5k and 10k races and a half-marathon.
Priebe Strong 1062, which takes its name from Mark Priebe’s badge number, is being held to raise money for the Priebe family and the Special Olympics. Anne Buchanan, one of the race’s organizers, is a teacher in the Republic School District, a friend of the Priebe family and the executive director of RCAT. After Priebe was intentionally run over while in the parking lot of the Springfield Police Department, she helped to look after his son, Conner, but wanted to do more. She got the idea to organize the run while out on a jog of her own.
“I was so frustrated that something so terrible could happen to such great people,” she said. “As I stomped up the hills, I had a moment of clarity as I looked at what my own legs were capable of. Though Mark was lying in a hospital bed not able to use his legs, I knew I could use mine and wondered if I could do a run in honor of him.”
Buchanan decided to contact Fleet Feet in Springfield, which directed her to the Heartland Racing Company, which will help host Priebe Strong 1062.
Buchanan said Priebe Strong 1062 is holding a variety of different races to allow as many different people to participate as possible.
 “As a distance runner myself, I love to run at a steady pace but not all people love to run distance or run at all,” she said. Because this event is a community event, we wanted to incorporate all people and we can do that by offering a variety of running events. The great thing is that people can even walk. We just want people to be able to use their own abilities to help support Mark.”
Priebe and his entire family will be at the event, Buchanan said, and he will take part in the half-marathon.
“One of the things we are most excited about is that we have a team of people that will be pushing Mark the entire 13.1 miles of the race,” she said.
So far, 400 people have signed up to run in Priebe Strong 1062.
“The RCAT team and Heartland Racing’s goal is to have over 400 runners pounding the pavement of Republic, Missouri and to raise $20,000 in funds that will be given to the Priebe family and Special Olympics, which is an organization that is near and dear to Mark’s heart,” said Buchanan. After the races, a celebration of Priebe’s recovery will take place at the community center, and will include food trucks, craft vendors and a concert.
Buchanan said Priebe Strong 1062 will not only be a show of support for Mark Priebe and his family, but other members of law enforcement as well.
“This event is more than just an event,” she said. “It’s an avenue that we can come together to help the Priebe family and show that we stand with them while they face mountains many of us will never in our life. As a community we can all stand not only with the Priebe family but with all the men and women who daily sacrifice their lives to make our lives and communities a better place. It’s a way that we can give a big hug to all of their families and say we stand beside you as a community and will fight for you.”
Priebe Strong 1062 begins at the Republic Community Center on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 6:55 a.m. For more information, go online to www.heartlandracingco.com/priebe-strong-1062.html#/, visit the Priebe Strong 1062 Facebook page or send an e-mail to rcat.repmo@gmail.com.