Fair, 55°
Weather sponsored by:

Area runners run to support Henry Kruck

By Randy Lefko
Posted 2/6/19

OAKLEAF – About 200 runners traveled up and over the Plantation Oaks Boulevard overpass in support of six year old Henry Robert Kruck, a local school kid beset with a rare genetic disorder who …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Don't have an ID?


Print subscribers

If you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.

Non-subscribers

Click here to see your options for subscribing.

Single day pass

You also have the option of purchasing 24 hours of access, for $1.00. Click here to purchase a single day pass.

Area runners run to support Henry Kruck


Posted

OAKLEAF – About 200 runners traveled up and over the Plantation Oaks Boulevard overpass in support of six year old Henry Robert Kruck, a local school kid beset with a rare genetic disorder who ultimately died in 2017.

“Henry would have started school at Westview in Jacksonville,” said Rebecca Kruck, Henry’s mother. “Our foundation has been working with the city of Jacksonville for nearly two years to build an all-inclusive playground in Jacksonville. We have a vision of an all ground level facility.”

Henry Robert Kruck was born on July 1, 2013 with a genetic disorder called 1p36 Deletion Syndrome. The disease centers around deleted DNA and chromosome damage. Most treatments deal mainly with reducing the severity of symptoms, according to medicinenet.com.

Despite the obstacles Henry faced, he approached each day by spreading light and love. In his short life, he inspired many people. On February 25, 2017, Henry passed away suddenly when a seizure sent him into cardiac arrest. Henry’s organs were donated to people who were in need. His parents, would like to open a playground that is accessible to all children, regardless of their ability. This has inspired Run 4 Kids Davis-Flick Foundation to create and organize Henry’s Run 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run.

At Oakleaf’s Henry’s Run 5K, Oakleaf High School track and cross country athlete Mason Raymond, 15, won with a time of 19 minutes, three seconds over Paul Medina, 43, who finished at 19:14. Raymond ran in the district 1-4A cross country championship race in 2018.

For the females, Leah Pelham, 17, a Paxon High student, won in 20:29, a personal best for her. Pelham, a region 1-3A qualifier for Paxon in 2018, beat Jennifer Szala, 44, who finished in 23:17.

In the Mile Fun Run, the Oakleaf High School softball team participated.