TEAM413 Get There and Share first half marathon

Amazing 

Amazing weekend!  Began at 12 Thursday when we left Missouri.  Laura Murietta and  my daughter Hope left for Birningham. Stopped to pick up another member and arrived at the hotel about 11:30 pm.  Up at 6 to help set up the expo and registration.  So exciting!

Laura and I in our new jackets.  Given to us by Kiki and Chris, founders of TEAM413.  Woohoo!  These are great!

Kiki and Chris making decisions:)

Expo worker

Busy, busy getting everyone signed in.  Getting ready for race day.

Amazing singers at the pasta dinner.  Great food and fellowship.  Awards were given out and  the marathon celebrated.

Hopee and me with Chris.

All dressed up for the race!

Like I need caffeine?!!  Ready for running!

Chad Speer and another member.

Laura is ready with her balloon.  Love this girl.  

Pre race.

The balloon girls are ready!  Loving my elmo balloon.

View from the back of the pack.  

Schmoozing with the great folks helping to guard the runners.  Having fun!

love these girls.  stopped for a photo and getting ready to get back at it!

Water break!

The 4.13k runners and the half marathon runners took two different courses early in the race. Avis, shown here, had misunderstood and taken the half marathon course.   She didn't realize her mistake until about mile 6.  Ronnie Amour found her and coached her along.  Her longest walk was 2 miles and this was her first race.  God had plans for her today!!!  

We told her that we could call help to bring her back in  but she and Ronnie had decided to  "go for it'. Her feet were killing her, as you can see from her shoes.  Her heels were on fire.  About mile 12, I ran to the finish line and found so many members ready to help.  They ran back to Avis and Ronnie and helped her to the finish line. Although, they had already run 13.1 miles and finished, they found the strength to help their 'sister'.  

showing encouragement and helping

The shirt says it and they proved it!

Victory lane is in hearing distance.  Avis, by this time, is really feeling emotional and very tired.  We were all worried about her.

This is what TEAM413 is all about!  We are bound by our love for running and our Savior.  Never leaving a friend!

If you look closely, you can see their hands raised giving God the glory.  Chris is right there beside her welcoming her to the finish line.

I think we were all holding back tears at this point.

Ronnie and Avis embracing and thanking God for proving His strength.

The last of the finishers.  Normally there is not much crowd at this point, but not with TEAM413!  Praising God for a glorious day.  I don't think, after seeing Avis, and witnessing His strength in her, any of us there will ever be the same again.