Never would we have imagined that almost 17 years after launching the Kevin Armstrong MD Memorial Sports Foundation in Santa Ana, we would still be going strong. The RunStrong Parent/Student Orientation on October 5, 2022 was the most well attended in our history! Thanks to all the students and parents who joined us to learn about Kevin and the work we are doing in his memory to positively impact the lives of young people. Congratulations to our first RunStar, Kiara Padilla!  Heartfelt thanks to our awesome volunteer coaches, to MIT for hosting the event and to the generous sponsors who continue to support us.  We couldn’t do this work without you. Looking forward to an awesome year! 

After 2 years of virtual challenges and drive-through activities, RunStrong students were excited to participate in local running events again.  The Kevin Armstrong MD Memorial Sports Foundation sponsored over 600 runners from Santa Ana in three events: the “Dino Dash”, the “Santa Claus for A Cause” Run and the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation’s “Reaching for the Cure” race.  At each event, RunStrong was the largest team registered with the most enthusiastic runners!  Students ran like the wind in bright neon green team shirts in numbers that were visible to all race participants and onlookers.  Their presence definitely had an impact and at each event, both students and coaches earned numerous awards by placing in their age groups.  We couldn’t be prouder of these students…especially those who trained hard, overcame their fears and anxiety, and challenged themselves to cross their first 5K finish line! 
 
We are grateful to all the coaches, parents and volunteers who helped to make this year a success, especially during these times when students are longing for activities to help improve their emotional, physical and social well-being.  Building core relationships with others, while participating in fun, healthy activities is valuable to our students and we are grateful to the many sponsors and donors who continue to make these programs possible. 

Please take a minute to view the re-cap video. 

After a 2 year hiatus due to the pandemic, on Monday, April 4th, over 90 enthusiastic golfers participated in the 12th Annual Kevin Armstrong MD Memorial Sports Foundation Golf Tournament at the Tustin Ranch Golf Club. It was a beautiful day for golf!  Sponsorship dollars, green fees and other monetary contributions from our generous participants enabled us to reach our fundraising goals.  This was critically important as we have been unable to host any significant fundraising events over the past two years due to the pandemic.

​After not being able to actively participate for almost 2 years, over 160 RunStrong runners from Santa Ana competed in the 30th Annual Dino Dash on Sunday, Oct 31st at the Tustin Marketplace.  Representing six different intermediate schools and wearing their newly printed neon yellow shirts, RunStrong was a noticeable presence, with several runners achieving awards.  This was the first KAMSF sponsored run since December 2019, and it was a great way to reintroduce the joy of running, the benefits of healthy competition and the spirit of community to young athletes from Santa Ana who have been isolated for so long due to COVID. After crossing the finish line, runners declared "It was tiring, but it was well worth it!  It was so much fun!" 

This is the ultimate Christmas run with participants showcasing their finest holiday costumes to compete in this festive 5k/10k run that will include the Lil Dickens Carolers, Christmas music, a pre-race dance warm-up and prizes across many different age groups! Join us at Irvine Valley College for this fun event that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit! Learn more at Santa Claus For A Cause 5K/10K (runsignup.com).

Former KNX Hero Karen Armstrong helps students get active after year of COVID-19
​Hundreds of thousands of students in Southern California spent last summer under tight health restrictions, due to COVID. But things are different now. We check in with a former KNX "Helpful Honda" Hero of the Week, who's preparing kids in Santa Ana for a summer of activity!

Read the full article online at audacy.com/knx1070/news/local/former-knx-hero-helps-students-get-active-after-covid.