On June 6, the Treasure Valley Rescue Run will bring our community together in support of families with children receiving medical care, with proceeds benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho. Led by Wright Physical Therapy and Fleet Feet Treasure Valley, the event includes a 10K, 5K, and free Kids Dash for children ages 10 and under. Volunteers are also needed to help support everything from the course and water stations to the finish line celebration. To register or sign up to volunteer, visit: Treasure Valley Rescue Run.
We recently sat down with Mike Colby from Wright Physical Therapy and Megan Lacy from Fleet Feet Treasure Valley to learn more about how the race started, what makes it unique, and why supporting families through Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho means so much to them.
Q: How did the Treasure Valley Rescue Run begin?
Mike Colby: “With Wright Physical Therapy, one of our social missions is to protect the innocence of children. We were thinking – what could be a way that could raise funds? In a way that can also get people very active, which as physical therapists, we’re all about.”
Megan Lacy: “We wanted to create additional opportunities for people to move their bodies and participate in races, especially here in the Treasure Valley. We also wanted to celebrate Global Running Day, which this year falls around the same time.”
Q: What makes this run unique?
Megan Lacy: “One thing that makes it special is that all of the proceeds go back to our charity partner. None of us are getting paid to do this. It’s truly for the good of the community, and I think that gives the event a really special feel.
That section of the Greenbelt is beautiful, and the event really welcomes everyone. We allow strollers, dogs, and we have a kids dash, so it’s designed to fit a lot of different runners and walkers. That creates such a fun and engaging finish line environment.”
Q: Why did you choose Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho as this year’s beneficiary?
Megan Lacy: “When we were looking for a local partner, we really connected with the work Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho does. We’ve actually had people in our network who have utilized your services, so it already felt very personal to us.”
Mike Colby: “We’ve also had two people on the Wright physical therapy team that have utilized the Ronald McDonald House in times of need. And know how much it meant for their children and their family to be able to have those services.”
Q: What impact do you hope the race has on families and the community?
Mike Colby: “We really want to be able to get kids out there to be able to get them at a young age, active and running. The kids dash is for free. We would just love to be able to give such a great donation as well.”
Megan Lacy: “We really want families to have time together and celebrate movement together. Whether that’s cheering someone on during the race or participating as a family, we hope it encourages healthy movement and connection.
We also want to help raise awareness about the work Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho is doing. Whether someone may need those services themselves someday, knows a family who does, or simply wants to support a meaningful cause, We want more people to know about the incredible resources available, and the impact donations can make.”
Q: What would you say to someone thinking about signing up or volunteering?
Mike Colby: “If there’s anyone that’s hesitant to sign up, the nice thing to know is it’s such a beautiful race right on the Eagle part of the Greenbelt. It’s also so inclusive, very family friendly.”
The Treasure Valley Rescue Run is more than a race. It is an opportunity for our community to come together, stay active, and support families with children receiving medical care. Whether you choose to walk, run, volunteer, or cheer others on, every participant helps make a difference. Please join us June 6, register to participate or volunteer here – https://runsignup.com/Race/ID/Eagle/TreasureValleyRescueRun.
