ATC Womens Team - Photo Album

Rebecca (Stokes) from Atlanta, Georgia has a grand purpose for her running this July - she was raising money for her young friends at Hope House in Union City, Georgia. Hope House is a children's respite hospice that provides care to medically fragile children and their families. This care, given at no cost, for 2 hours to 2 weeks, helps families with children suffering from progressive life-threatening illnesses and severe disabilities. Their individualized programs provide an integrated blend of respite services for families across the United States at Hope House and in some Atlanta Counties they provide home-based care.

Rebecca ran to raise awareness for the unique services offered to families at Hope House and she raised over $4,000. She also shared a message to the Youth of America, "Go out and play each day, have some fun, get some exercise." And she is backing it up with some lofty personal exercise goals. She plans to run 1000 miles in 2002 and she ran this July a 10K everyday, along the 1624-mile Pioneer/Westward Emigration Trail.

Rebecca is a Georgia State Champion in the 1600-Meter, 12U girls has been running for 3 years. She is also the State runner-up in the 800M and in Cross-Country. It is noted that obesity among youth is a growing problem across the Country. She says, "If kids would get away from the TV and computer and go out to play and get some exercise they will feel better and be healthier. I enjoy watching TV and use the computer a lot but 4-5 days a week and sometimes 6 days I run a few miles and play with my friends after school. I feel healthy because I try to take care of my body. I try to use the running talent the Lord gave me to better myself and now with Hope House I can do something that is very important for others who cannot do it themselves. I like that!"

Rebecca says, "Hope House allows families some time off". Families need time to relax and recharge themselves from the 24/7 duties of taking care of children who have severe health problems." By providing a place where these children will feel right at home in a warm, friendly House, parents and other family members can get away knowing that their child is being taken care of by loving people who enjoy serving others.

When asked how she came up with the idea of running a pioneer trail she replied, "I was joking one day with my mom and dad. My Dad was talking about the Pioneers who crossed the plains by walking, pushing and pulling handcarts or by covered wagons. He told me that some of my ancestors crossed the plains this way back in the 1850's and if our family crossed the plains as modern pioneers we would use a golf cart since we drive one all around our town. I said jokingly, and I'd run it. Well I should have learned by now not to joke like that around my Dad. He thought I was on to something, that it was a great idea. A few months later he told me that Yamaha, a golf cart manufacturer was going to supply the golf cart and my run was on!"

Rebecca began her westward run this July from the banks of the Mississippi River near Nauvoo, Illinois. The Trail crosses Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming and into Salt Lake City, Utah. Her father followed Rebecca while she ran using the Yamaha sponsored golf cart and then when not running, both traveled about 12-14 hours a day on the cart. They arrived in Salt Lake by July 22 so Rebecca could get ready for her last 10K which starts at 6:15am on July 24, 2002. It was the big founders day race in Utah commemorating the day the original pioneer arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, 1847. After the race these "modern pioneers" loaded up their cart and weary bones and journeyed back to Georgia.

Rebecca is a member of the Peachtree City Running Club. She competes for the Peachtree City Flash Youth Track Team in Georgia and ran the Salt Lake City 10K proudly wearing her Atlanta Track Club uniform. She runs a 5:40 mile, 2:35 800M and a 49 minute 10K.

Rebecca began her westward run from the banks of the Mississippi River near Nauvoo, Illinois. The Trail crossed Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming and into Salt Lake City, Utah. Her father, Dr. Don Stokes went with her using a new Yamaha sponsored Golf Cart and when she was not running, both will traveled about 10 hours a day on the cart.

To make a contribution to Hope House contact Janice Wright, 770-969-8354 or go to www.swchospice.org

"Rebecca's Run for the Kids at Hope House" "A 10K, everyday, along the 1624 mile Pioneer Trail"
Rebecca (Stokes) from Atlanta, Georgia has a grand purpose for her running this July - she was raising money for her young friends at Hope House in Union City, Georgia. Hope House is a children's respite hospice that provides care to medically fragile children and their families. This care, given at no cost, for 2 hours to 2 weeks, helps families with children suffering from progressive life-threatening illnesses and severe disabilities. Their individualized programs provide an integrated blend of respite services for families across the United States at Hope House and in some Atlanta Counties they provide home-based care. Rebecca ran to raise awareness for the unique services offered to families at Hope House and she raised over $4,000. She also shared a message to the Youth of America, "Go out and play each day, have some fun, get some exercise." And she is backing it up with some lofty personal exercise goals. She plans to run 1000 miles in 2002 and she ran this July a 10K everyday, along the 1624-mile Pioneer/Westward Emigration Trail. Rebecca is a Georgia State Champion in the 1600-Meter, 12U girls has been running for 3 years. She is also the State runner-up in the 800M and in Cross-Country. It is noted that obesity among youth is a growing problem across the Country. She says, "If kids would get away from the TV and computer and go out to play and get some exercise they will feel better and be healthier. I enjoy watching TV and use the computer a lot but 4-5 days a week and sometimes 6 days I run a few miles and play with my friends after school. I feel healthy because I try to take care of my body. I try to use the running talent the Lord gave me to better myself and now with Hope House I can do something that is very important for others who cannot do it themselves. I like that!" Rebecca says, "Hope House allows families some time off". Families need time to relax and recharge themselves from the 24/7 duties of taking care of children who have severe health problems." By providing a place where these children will feel right at home in a warm, friendly House, parents and other family members can get away knowing that their child is being taken care of by loving people who enjoy serving others. When asked how she came up with the idea of running a pioneer trail she replied, "I was joking one day with my mom and dad. My Dad was talking about the Pioneers who crossed the plains by walking, pushing and pulling handcarts or by covered wagons. He told me that some of my ancestors crossed the plains this way back in the 1850's and if our family crossed the plains as modern pioneers we would use a golf cart since we drive one all around our town. I said jokingly, and I'd run it. Well I should have learned by now not to joke like that around my Dad. He thought I was on to something, that it was a great idea. A few months later he told me that Yamaha, a golf cart manufacturer was going to supply the golf cart and my run was on!" Rebecca began her westward run this July from the banks of the Mississippi River near Nauvoo, Illinois. The Trail crosses Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming and into Salt Lake City, Utah. Her father followed Rebecca while she ran using the Yamaha sponsored golf cart and then when not running, both traveled about 12-14 hours a day on the cart. They arrived in Salt Lake by July 22 so Rebecca could get ready for her last 10K which starts at 6:15am on July 24, 2002. It was the big founders day race in Utah commemorating the day the original pioneer arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, 1847. After the race these "modern pioneers" loaded up their cart and weary bones and journeyed back to Georgia. Rebecca is a member of the Peachtree City Running Club. She competes for the Peachtree City Flash Youth Track Team in Georgia and ran the Salt Lake City 10K proudly wearing her Atlanta Track Club uniform. She runs a 5:40 mile, 2:35 800M and a 49 minute 10K. Rebecca began her westward run from the banks of the Mississippi River near Nauvoo, Illinois. The Trail crossed Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming and into Salt Lake City, Utah. Her father, Dr. Don Stokes went with her using a new Yamaha sponsored Golf Cart and when she was not running, both will traveled about 10 hours a day on the cart. To make a contribution to Hope House contact Janice Wright, 770-969-8354 or go to www.swchospice.org Congratulations Rebecca!
Rebecca at Chimney Rock and Golf Cart. Both covered a distance of 1624 miles. Rebecca ran a 10K every day.	Rebecca, the current Georgia State Champion in the 1600-Meter, 12U girls has been running for 3 years. She is also the State runner-up in the 800M and in Cross-Country. She competes for the Peachtree City Flash Youth Track Team in Peachtree City, Georgia and also runs with the Atlanta Track Club. She runs a 5:40 mile, 2:39 800M and a 49 minute 10K.
Rebecca shown with her Dad, Dr. Stokes running alongside their Yamaha sponsored golf cart
July 24, 2002 she took 2nd in her age division in the Salt Lake City 10K race with a time of 49:51. She commented at the end of the race that she feels like a 90 year old woman, her legs were worn out.