Amelia's Run (formerly known as The Amelia B Wilson LBL Run) for 2023 will feature a 10km, 5km, and Kid's Run. It remains under the direction of Durbin Race Management, and is hosted by the incredible volunteers from the Grand Rivers area; most of whom knew and loved Amelia Wilson.
The race is in honor of a spectacular woman, Amelia Brown Wilson, who was taken way too soon. She was a staple of the Grand Rivers community. The race is being used as a fundraiser for an organization she believed in and worked so hard for; the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA). Amelia was an organ recipient early in life and unfortunately lost her life due to complications later in life (but way too soon at 39 years old). Please see more in the next sections.
Fall running at Land Between the Lakes and Grand Rivers KY is stunningly beautiful. This year's race will feature the same 10km course, a new 5km course, and a Kid's Fun Run!! The Kid's race will be between 1km and 1 mile in length
.If you can't attend in person, you can still show your support by participating virtually! Choose the virtual option when registering, submit your results, and we'll send your finisher's award and shirt to you.
Saturday, October 21. (all times are Central Daylight Time)
Parking: There is parking in the lot next to the Community Center/Across from the Tourism Office. Additional parking in the park a block from the start. Volunteers will be on hand to assist you.
Packet pick up: 06:30 - 07:45 at Grand Rivers Tourism Office, 1858 JH O'Bryan, Grand Rivers 42045
Day of Race Registration is available: Cash only. Add $10 to the regular registration rates. If we run out of shirts, we'll have to mail it to you.
Rest rooms: Are open in the kiosks in front of the Badgett Playhouse (next to the Tourism Office). Portable toilets are available
Races Start: 08:00 in front of the GR Tourism Office. Race will start on time. Please don't rush in at the last second.
Kid's Run Start: 09:30 in front of GR Tourism Office. NOTE: We will have entertainment for kids, if you wish to run your race, and then run with your kid.
AWARDS: Are given as you cross the finish line. All finishers receive a medal. Top 5 m/f in 10K and 5K receive a plaque.
Races End: 11 AM.
After race food served from 09:30 - 11:00 near the finish line.
START - Grand Rivers Tourism office 1858 JH O'Bryan, Grand Rivers, proceed up JH OBryan;
LEFT on 453, RIGHT on Kentucky Lake Scenic Drive, DO NOT get on the Canal Loop, stay on the road and continue to the 3.1 mile turnaround.
Reverse back to Grand Rivers Tourism office for the finish.
Water Stations located at mile 1.2, 3.1, and 5.
No portable toilets available on the 10k course.
5 KM course
Same as the 10km course, except turnaround at the half-way mark, and return to the finish at GR tourism office.
Water station located around mile 1.2. You'll have access to it before the turnaround, and again on the way back.
Food at the finish area!
Kids 1 mile run
Begins and ends at the Grand Rivers tourism office. Volunteers will be on hand at every turn. The course is such that you can see your child about halfway through and then again at the finish. You can run with your kid if you want!
This is a fundraiser for Kentucky Organ Donors Affiliates, an organization dear to Amelia. Since many of you have already chosen a race for October 22, or if you're concerned about the recent spreading of the covid variant, we're pleased to offer another way for you to be a part of the event.
Virtual option:
Just run the distance you've chosen anytime between October 22 and October 23. You'll be able to submit your results. We'll mail your shirt and medal to you. IF YOU ARE RUNNING ANOTHER RACE just use the distance and time you recorded there.
NOTE: virtual runs will receive a shirt and medal, but will not be eligible for top 5 awards; you must run in person for those.
Each participant will receive a nice Amelia's Run shirt.
All finishers will receive a medal. Top 5 m/f 10km and 5km receive a plaque. Awards are given at the finish line; please get yours before you leave.
Amelia Brown Wilson, of Grand Rivers, Kentucky, was diagnosed with liver disease at
age 19. She received a lifesaving liver transplant in 2005 while a student at the University of
Kentucky. Amelia and her family are eternally grateful to her liver donor, John Cody Conley,
who was a 13-year-old boy from West Virginia who loved the outdoors and died while riding an
all-terrain vehicle.
Amelia was a three-time University of Kentucky graduate. She earned her bachelor’s
degree in family and consumer sciences in 2003, her master’s degree in community and
leadership development in 2006, and her doctorate in higher education administration in 2010.
While at UK, Amelia was the university ambassador coordinator, a student senator, a vice
president of Delta Gamma sorority, and the 2003 homecoming queen. Amelia was an advocate
for organ donation and started the annual Gift of Life Challenge between UK and the University
of Louisville to promote organ donation.
She received the Sullivan Medallion, which is
presented annually to one male and one female graduating student based on “such characteristics
of heart, mind, and conduct as evidence a spirit of love for and helpfulness to other men and
women.”
She was the 2011 recipient of the University of Kentucky Joseph T. Burch Young
Alumni Award and a 2021 recipient of the University of Kentucky’s Distinguished Service
Award. While a student at the University of Kentucky, Amelia met her husband, Allen O.
Wilson. Amelia was a field representative for U.S. Congressman James Comer and passed away
on June 25, 2021 following a lengthy battle with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder
(PTLD), which is a cancer faced only by organ transplant recipients.
Clinical Referral Line: (800) 525-3456
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