Running for Good Sam
Director of Community Life Mary Van Buren and Sales Coordinator Danielle Kovacs are lacing up their running shoes in preparation for the Gettysburg Blue-Grey Half Marathon & 5K set for April 26. Mary isn’t new to running—she has been running for over 40 years. Her current training regimen is taking her 30 miles per week until race day. In fact, on Super Bowl Sunday this year, Mary ran from Gettysburg to Emmitsburg, Md. “It’s always fun to cross the state line this way,” Mary said.
This is Danielle’s first half marathon, however. She loves to run for fun and exercise, but started being more intentional about long-distance running this year “Mary is a marathon running all-star,” says Danielle. “I hope I can keep up!” The two formed a friendship when Danielle first joined the CKV team as a Community Life Leader in 2014. “I admire Mary’s compassionate spirit and enthusiastic heart,” continues Danielle. “It is a blessing to run this race with Mary and serve our residents.”
Runners will get the chance to compete through history, just miles from the historic battlefield where the Union army turned the tide against the South in 1863. The race itself will have a unique feature in that runners from each “side” — North vs. South — will run the course in different directions. All runners will share the same starting and finish line, and both variations on the course will feature challenging rolling hills along country roads.
Both friends are running in support of the Good Samaritan Fund benefitting residents at Cross Keys Village who have outlived their financial resources. “I really enjoy the sport of running. Being able to combine that with the opportunity to help raise money to support our Good Sam Fund is very rewarding to me,” says Mary. As in previous races which Mary entered, Cross Keys team members have the opportunity to show their support by making a donation at the Foundation office. For the first time, we are also offering the option to donate online, and opening it to everyone wishing to cheer for these two remarkable members of the Cross Keys family.
Update: The race has been postponed until October, giving Mary and Danielle all summer to train!