The Huntington’s Disease Society of Ameria (HDSA) Houston Area Run/Walk “Walking for a Cure - Team Hope” was started by Denise Thurmond in Houston, Texas six years ago. Thurmond was not a runner, but was determined to create an event that participants would want to come to year after year. The event benefits research for Huntington’s disease. They have raised $170,000 in the past six years. The walk is a 5K.

The first year, twenty-five people participated in the event and the only amenity was a water cooler set up the Olyster Creek Park where the event is held. The event will be held on Saturday, September 8th and the top male and female winners will be awarded a trip for two to San Diego, California to run in the Carlsbad Marathon on January 20th 2008.

“It’s a home-grown family-type organization. They put a lot of heart and soul into it,” said Sarah Mohammed, who has run the race for the past three years. “It helps knowing it’s for a worthy cause.”

Source: chron.com, runtocurehd.com