Happy Independence Day!

A Tribute and Final Farewell to Lindsay’s Race

By Roxanne and Roger Cornelius

We called her “Baby” because she was our youngest. Lindsay was a very easy child to raise-she was the daughter we never thought we’d have, my best friend, her dad’s girl and the little sister her three big brothers loved to protect.

Caring for children and singing were two of the joys of her life. She couldn’t wait until she was twelve and could take the Red Cross babysitting class so she could start babysitting. Quickly, she became everyone’s favorite sitter. Children sensed how much she loved them and her patience with them was endless.

She had a beautiful, honey-rich alto voice and loved singing with the Kalamazoo Children’s Chorus, performing in numerous musical shows and singing in our church.

School wasn’t easy for Lindsay because of her dyslexia, but she never gave up nor did she use it as an excuse. She knew that she just had to work harder than most students.

Lindsay ran with Gull Lake’s cross country and track teams. Running wasn’t easy for her either due to excruciating shin splints. However, she always had a positive attitude, finished her races and encouraged her teammates.

Losing a child is every parent’s worst nightmare. Lindsay suffered a severe closed-head injury and coma following a car accident caused by icy roads in January of 1998. Eight days later, she went home to Heaven. Even though we know for sure that someday we’ll be with her again, we miss her terribly every day. It’s like having your heart ripped out and wondering how you can keep living. I told God, “I can’t live the rest of my life without my Baby!” He replied “You don’t have to …just trust in Me for the next moment.” And that is how we’ve gotten through these past ten years.

This kind of loss changes you forever- you are never the same again. You want others to know that your child was here- that she lived her life unselfishly and made a difference in the world.

Since Lindsay was a runner, a race in her honor seemed to be a way to keep her memory alive and at the same time benefit others. The best advice I was given back in May, 1999 when God gave us the idea of a race, was “You want to hold a race? Go see Chris Crowell at Gazelle Sports. He knows more about races than anyone around here and he’ll help you.” My advisor was correct on both counts; Chris had the knowledge and the willingness to help guide us. He sent us to Grand Rapids to Joe and Jeff at Classic Race. They taught us how to hand- score that first race; July 4, 1999 with 100 degree heat and 100 participants. What a learning experience! Ever since then, we have been blessed to have Miller Energy sponsor the cost of the “Champion Chip” finish line. Last year, 2007, we were blessed to have over 600 participants and 100 volunteers (plus assorted dogs who came with their owners for the Family Fun Walk).

All of the proceeds from the Race are distributed between the Richland Fire/ Rescue, Village Police and ambulance to purchase equipment and supplies that their budgets don’t cover. They were the ones who rushed to the scene of Lindsay’s accident, pulled her from the car as it was bursting into flames and transported her to Borgess’ Neuro Intensive Care Unit.

Since Lindsay loved children so much, we wanted to be able to fund a helmet program to protect kids from head injuries. The helmets are given out to 4^th graders during a special safety assembly with Borgess Trauma nurses. Each helmet bears the logo “Lindsay’s Kids”. And, in a way, the children who wear them are her kids because her life was cut short before she could have a family of her own.

We never thought there would come a time when we would say “This is the last Lindsay’s Race.” But, just like God gave us the idea for the initial race, He gave us peace in our hearts this Spring that it was time to bring this wonderful event to a close. Lindsay’s personal race her on Earth was completed over ten years ago and it is with bittersweet emotions that we complete her Memorial Race.

We are so grateful for the wonderful support we’ve received from the community and for all of our many volunteers and race participants because through the lives of many, one young life lives on.

--Roxanne and Roger Cornelius

II Tim. 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Please join the Cornelius Family and friends to celebrate the life of Lindsay Cornelius, and the 10^th and final running of Lindsay’s Race on July 4, 2008. Visit Lindsay's Race Registration for more details and online registration. Club Championship Series Event, Race Discount Program Event

Schoolcraft Firecracker 5 mile and 1 Mile Fun Run

Begin your July 4^th celebration with the Firecracker 5 Miler! This well organized event will be held July 4, 2008 at Schoolcraft High School and proceeds benefit the Schoolcraft track and cross country programs. Check out Schoolcraft Firecracker for registration and all the details. The Race Director is KAR member Brenda Stoddard!

Club Championship Series Event, Race Discount Program Event

Kindleberger Summerfest 5k

Another Race put on by a runner for runners. The Kindleberger Summerfest 5k will be held July 12, 2008 at Kindleberger Park. Visit Kindleberger Summerfest 5k for more information and registration. The Race Director is KAR Member Dale Turton! Club Championship Series Event, Race Discount Program Event

Plainwell Education Foundation 5k

The Plainwell Education Foundation is hosting a 5k Run/5k Walk/1mi Fitness Walk/1mi Fun Run on Saturday, July 19, 2008 during Plainwell's Island City Festival. The events will be held in the streets of Plainwell, with the start and finish at Plainwell High School. Chip timing will be used for the 5k Run and 5K Walk. The 1mi Fitness Walk and 1mi Kids' Fun Run will be untimed. Please note correction, there is only a 5k, not 10k as originally stated on the Race Discount and Club Series flyers. For more information and registration, visit
Plainwell Education Foundation 5k Club Championship Series Event, Race Discount Program Event