The Honor Connor 5k & Smile Mile

#ckg

15-year-old Connor Gage went to a friend’s birthday party at the lake in 2012. He didn’t come home. What was supposed to be a fun day of celebration ended in life-changing, lifelong heartbreak for the Gage family. Connor’s story, sadly, is not uncommon. Thousands of teenage and adult Texans have lost their lives in open water — and the reason is simple. Life vests. It doesn’t have to be this way. That day in 2012, the adults in charge did not require life vests for the kids. And that was the difference between life, and death. Connor was an excellent swimmer, a lake kid, a water bug — but because he wasn’t protected with a life vest, one bad jump into that water took his life. It’s a story that tragically repeats, year after year, across Texas waterways — and it’s a story the Gage family is trying to change. We founded The LV Project in 2012, the same year Connor died. Since that time, The LV Project has worked to raise awareness for life vests on lakes — and especially for ADULTS to understand the real risk of drowning in open water. (After all — you wouldn’t let your kid drive without a seat belt… it’s the same thing.) Most don’t know that drowning rates triple at age 15 — and those rates remain elevated throughout adulthood. Most people think good swimmers won’t drown, but that’s not true. Two-thirds of those who drown in lakes are “good swimmers” — just like Connor. Most people think teens and adults are safe… but lakes are VERY different than pools… murky, deep, unpredictable. Without a life vest, if something goes wrong, there is no rescue… only the heartbreaking recovery of a life gone too soon. So, if you’re in charge at the lake this summer, don’t take chances. Protect your people. Make life vests a must. Because without one, there are no do-overs. Our mission is buoyancy — on water, and in life. That’s why we run. 

You won’t find a more beautiful 5k route in DFW. Winding its way around the lovely trails of HomeTown North Richland Hills, you’ll enjoy the scenic view of the lake, the adorable craftsman homes, and the wooded scenery along the trails. And we offer a quick one-mile route around Birdville High school as well… but honestly — run (or walk or crawl!) the 5k if you can. It’s just so dang pretty. You won’t be sorry. You can do this!

Connor was a cross-country runner… and he trained mile after mile on the same trails we run in The Honor Connor 5k & Smile Mile. He would have loved this race, and he is no doubt smiling every year as those who join us follow in his footsteps. Thank you friends. 🫶

Thu & Fri, May 15 & 16: 11am to 7pm - Packet Pickup at NRH Centre, 6000 Hawk Avenue, NRH, TX 76180

SAT MAY 17: IT’S RACE DAY Y’ALL!
- 7:00 AM - Onsite Registration and Packet Pickup Open
- 7:30 AM - Pre-Race Activities and Warm-up
- 8:00 AM - 1 Mile Start
- 8:30 AM - 5K Start
- 9:30 AM - Post-Race SmileFest Celebration
- 9:45 AM - Awards
 

Packet pickup is Thursday, 5/15 and Friday, 5/16, from 11am to 7pm at NRH Centre, 6000 Hawk Avenue, NRH, TX 76180.