This story is the first part in a four-part series about our Halfsy Hero Korey Donahoo. Our series will follow Korey and three other heroes as they train for the 2017 Good Life Halfsy.
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Korey Donahoo has made it his life’s mission to cheer people on. As one of the founding fathers of American Outlaws, (with his friend Justin Brunken) a non-profit group whose aim is to unify fans of United States National Soccer, he has made a career of igniting the spirit.
He saw this spirit manifest last year when his sister decided to run the Good Life Halfsy.
“The whole family came together to be there for her at the finish line, and just being there, the energy was indescribable! It was really powerful.”
“She told us that coming over that bridge was such a rush, and even in the crowd, we could feel it.”
So Korey decided to give it a go.
“There was another event this last Spring, The Leprechaun Chase. It’s a 10K, and I did horrible. Brunken and I raced, but he gave me a 9-minute head start. When he finally took off from the start, everyone else was gone – I was supposed to tackle him if he got close, but he lapped runner after runner, and when he got to me, I wasn’t sure I was going to cross the finish line. I definitely didn’t have the energy to wrap my arms around him and take him down.”
Tired or not, Korey was running with a purpose. Friends, family, coworkers, and total strangers were counting on him to finish, and so he did.
“I was running to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It gave me a reason to train, and it gave me a reason to finish.”
“I don’t have a runner’s body. I was never a runner until March. Even now, I’m not a runner. Sometimes, it seems like my pace just gets slower and slower. But having people to be accountable to, having people counting on me to finish and earn this support, it makes it fun and meaningful. It makes me want to do better. Or ya know, at least finish.” he quipped.
“Plus, it’s nice to have a beer on a Sunday and be able to feel really good about it!”
Korey is going to have more than just a beer waiting for him at this year’s event. An intricately organized network of support will be in play, and not just for him…
Check back for more Halfsy Hero stories, and to read the next installment of Korey’s story!