Runners to complete 48 miles in support of nonprofit
Feb. 29—Ramsey Grice has a long family history of heart attacks. His father had his first heart attack at 39. So did one of his brothers. Another brother had his first heart attack when he was 32. His mother had a heart attack at 40.
So, it was fairly notable that Grice hadn't experienced a heart attack by the time he turned 50.
In 2022, while running four miles every four hours to raise money, he began vomiting during a few of the runs. He wouldn't know until six months later it had been a sign his heart wasn't in the best of shape.
On Oct. 1, 2022, Grice called his father from the emergency room to let him know he had become the oldest member of the family to experience a heart attack.
He's since recovered and plans to complete the same marathon this weekend.
Grice and several other runners will go on a four-mile run every four hours over the course of 48 hours starting at 7 p.m. Friday. They aim to raise $10,000 for Ainsley's Angels of America, a nonprofit organization that helps people with special needs participate in athletic events.
The money will be used to purchase new Axiom conversion chairs — three-wheeled wheelchairs designed for races and bike riding.
Ainsley's Angels members receive lists of different marathons throughout the year and sign up to run or ride in an Axiom conversion chair.
Grice explained his niece Kendall High is the reason he runs. She has cerebral palsy and is unable to run by herself. But Kendall loves accompanying Grice on his runs.
She giggles and dances while Grice pushes her in one of the Axiom chairs. Grice even put together a playlist of their favorite music for their daily runs — Kendall is especially fond of Pink's "So What" and the 1960s Batman theme song, but also enjoys the John Denver and Hank Williams tunes her uncle put on the playlist.
They ran 340 miles together last year.
Grice said the organization's work is important to him because of "the joy that the simplicity of running brings that I've personally witnessed with my niece and all of our other Ainsley's Angels athlete riders."
Before being introduced to the organization eight years ago, he added, his family wasn't even aware Kendall could ever become a runner.
The annual marathon, now in its fourth year, was organized by Shannon Spencer. She was inspired by David Goggins, a retired Navy Seal and promotional speaker who started the annual marathon in March 2020.
Moore's Home Health and Medical Supply, and Community Howard Regional Health have each sponsored a chair this year, Spencer said. With other donors, like the United Auto Workers union, pitching in, Ainsley's Angels has already raised approximately $6,000 for the marathon.
CrossFit Kokomo, 1080 S. Dixon Road, will serve as the runners' home base throughout the weekend. They plan to run on the Heritage Trail.
Spencer encouraged community members to visit throughout the weekend. She noted they plan on having a bounce castle and magician at CrossFit Kokomo on Saturday.
Grice encouraged people to donate to Ainsley's Angels if they're able to. "Help me feel obligated to complete the 48 miles," he said with a chuckle.
If you're interested, donations can be made via PayPal at paypal.me/AinsleysAngels, on Venmo to @Ainsleys-Angels or by sending a check to the North Central Indiana Ainsley's Angels ambassador, Kristy High, at P.O. Box 265, Russiaville, IN, 46979. However you decide to donate, the organization asks that the memo line says NCI, which is short for North Central Indiana.
James Bennett III can be reached at 765-454-8580 or james.bennett@kokomotribune.com.
