More than 200 adults and 250 children took part in the fifth annual Prison Break race Saturday, which, for the first time, also featured a kids' Catch Me if You Can fun run.
The event, which is sponsored by the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation, started on the grounds of the historic Missouri State Penitentiary and ended in Riverside Park for the kids and at Prison Brews for adults.
The one-of-a-kind event draws adults from across the state as they are challenged to complete a 5K amidst a variety of obstacles that leave them muddy, wet and pushing their limits.
Chris Wilson, the sports/film sales manager for the CVB, said the course featuring a cargo net, water slide, mud pits, climbing wall and more is not just challenging, it is fun.
"We are just as excited for the person who finished 200th as the person who comes in first," he said. "This event is fun, and I think that speaks to the success of it. Everyone encourages one another, whether they are competitors or just to have fun."
Wilson expected this year's race to be the largest yet. "We are thrilled this event has turned into something people look forward to and plan to attend," he said. "Next year, we will be back for the sixth annual, and it will be better than ever."
One local Jefferson City boy saw the opportunity to participate in the first ever Catch Me if You Can fun run as a challenge, and his parents agreed.
"We never tell Blaze he cannot do anything," Joy Gilzow said of her son. "We want him to do anything he thinks he can - and more."
When Blaze's excited parents, Tim and Joy, went to a 20-week ultrasound to discover the gender of their first child, they were told Blaze had hypoplastic left heart syndrome - he has a two chamber heart, not a four chamber heart. Before he was even born, they knew Blaze would need three surgeries.
And by age 3, Blaze had his third surgery, which allows his heart to get oxygenated blood through his lungs, and since then, he has experienced better health.
Despite periodic cardiac catherizations and a few daily medications, Blaze is an active third-grader at Pioneer Trail, and is most proud of being a big brother to Ozias.
"He is so much fun," Joy said. "He is very caring and compassionate, and unless you already knew about his heart, you would never know anything is wrong with him."
Joy admits she was a little shocked but also very supportive when Blaze said he wanted to take part in the Catch Me If You Can fun run. "Him running makes me nervous as a heart mom," Joy said. "But if he wants to do it then we will support him."
Soon after signing Blaze up for the run, Joy discovered members of the Lincoln University basketball team agreed to run the race with Blaze.
For several years, the team members have considered Blaze, "one of their own." He has attended home games and practices, and some of the players even went to a few of Blaze's local church league basketball games. When he heard his older teammates would be joining him on the run, Blaze said, "It is cool."
While about 15 members of the men's Blue Tiger's basketball team showed up at the event, most of them were there to help other children along the course and offer their encouragement to all participants. However, three members ran with Blaze, making sure he stayed motivated. The men were also able to calm some of Blaze's concerned parents' fears. Before the race started, Joy told the LU players a few things to watch out for, just in case Blaze needed help.
Victor Alston, Arthur Holloway and Darrius Spencer ran alongside Blaze, even through the obstacles. Blaze said his favorites were the dark straw maze and cargo net, which he said his co-runners helped him through.
"He is our teammate - and a part of our family," Spencer said. "Of course we would be here to support him, in any way we can."
At the end of the race, muddy and wet after a ride down the long slip and slide, Blaze was all smiles as he crossed the finish line.
"I'm glad I got to do it, and am glad I finished," he said afterward.