Playmakers employee Brian Jones describes the ninth annual Max’s Race, an event dedicated to the memory of Max Matthews. The race has raised more than $130,000 for children dealing with illness.
The ninth annual Max’s Race was held Saturday outside the MSU Auditorium for the benefit of children and families dealing with illness.
The 5k race collected an estimated $8,500 for the Maxwell C. Matthews Foundation, adding to the $121,500 already collected, according to Natalie Matthews.
“It makes me feel empowered that there’s nothing we can’t do to help kids and families in Sparrow,” she said.
Natalie Matthews and her husband, Jim Matthews, created the foundation after the death of their 6-year-old son, Max Matthews, who died of complications from meningitis in March of 2005.
The foundation’s mission is to create hope for kids and their families who, due to unfortunate situations and events, are in need of extra medical, professional and emotional assistance.
Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital gave Max Matthews six extra years, Natalie Matthews said. Max’s Race is Jim and Natalie Matthews’ way of giving back.
“Going from something that traumatic and being able to continue, and then have this many people out here in his memory — it’s hard to emotionally describe it,” Natalie Matthews said of the race. “When you run, you’re digging deep inside yourself, and we’re hoping Max’s memory keeps them going.”
Max’s Race featured a 5K race for all ages, a youth mile run and a children’s 100-yard dash. This was the first year for the dash, Jim Matthews said.
“They’re so grateful and happy and having a good time,” he added.
Jim Matthews said the organization changed the course, stating the prior route “fell out of whack” with all the construction, but they adapted.
With an estimated 500 people attending the race, Natalie Matthews said the turnout was very good and up from last year, but not the biggest.
Lansing Community College student Joe Marrah won first place at Max’s Race. He runs for his school and participated in the race to judge his performance before the upcoming season.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Marrah said. “I love having the atmosphere of people around me. You can’t prepare for a race the day before; it takes months.”
Like Marrah’s running advice, the event also took more than a day’s planning.
“Leading up to it is really stressful, but looking over it, knowing it’s done and nobody’s hurt is worth it,” Natalie Matthews said.
She also said about 70 of her 100 volunteers have helped put the race together since its beginning.
“It’s about good positive energy in the community, not just the money to Sparrow,” she said. “I’m going to do it until I die.”
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