Sunday, December 13, is the Run to Victory in Randleman, NC. The race is about more than just running five or 13.1 miles. It begins at Randleman Middle School and ends at the Petty family’s amazing Victory Junction Camp, where chronically or seriously ill kids from all over get a chance to hang out and have fun—for free, including comprehensive on-site medical care.

Kyle and Pattie Petty started the camp in honor of their son Adam, who died in a crash at New Hampshire International Speedway in 2000. NASCAR driver Tony Stewart helped fund its construction with $1 million in seed money. In just five years, the Petty family’s camp has hosted more than 10,000 kids from 47 states and three countries.

Did I mention that the kids’ visit to the camp and medical care is free? Victory Junction Camp was built with and continues to operate entirely on charitable contributions—once you see the place you’ll realize that’s no small beans! Even if you can’t make it to Run to Victory this year, consider “giving locally” and make a donation to the camp.

If you can make the race, be sure to look for MMRCer Iris sporting her custom MadMayo Running Club tee and chatterboxing her way through the five-miler!

Read the interview with Kyle Petty (he’s a run/walker!) at Running Shorts