Saturday, June 10, is the second running of Olivia’s Miles. It honors Olivia Kemist, whose short life was halted last December by a rare ailment known as Krabbe disease.
Olivia’s parents, Adam and Micheline Kemist, owners of the Runner’s High in Menlo Park and Los Altos, have organized the race as a celebration of Olivia’s life and to raise money for the Spark Foundation. The foundation is a nonprofit that grants money to continue treatment for children like Olivia and provide research to find a cure.
Krabbe disease is a hereditary, degenerative disorder that affects the nervous system. Children with the disease have a life expectancy of less that two years. Olivia beat those odds only by a few months.
Dr. Gregory Enns of Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital worked with Olivia, but was unable to find a cure in time. He is continuing research into the mystery of the disease.
Olivia’s Miles, l-mile and 5K runs, will be held in Menlo Park, starting at Fremont Park.
The runs will be held on a flat course through tree-lined streets in Menlo Park. The 1-mile race for competitive runners begins at 8 a.m. The 5K race, open to both runners and walkers, begins at 8:30 a.m.
A kids’ run for children under 12 starts at 9:15 a.m. in Fremont Park. Children will receive a medal, goodie bag and photo.
The event is free for children under 12 taking part in either run with a parent, but an entry form for each child must be submitted with the adult’s registration. Registration is not required for the kids’ race.
Prizes will be provided by running companies and merchants from downtown Menlo Park and Los Altos.
Adam and Micheline Kemist, who are both avid runners, have been proprietors of the Runners High for 11 years. They also have a “retro” clothing store on Evelyn Street in downtown Menlo Park.
The store is named OH for the Kemists’ two daughters, Olivia and Hannah. Hannah is a healthy 2-year-old.
Entry fee for the event is $25. To register, go to runnershigh.com or active.com. Entry forms may also be picked up at Runners High, 859 Santa Cruz Ave., or OH, 1060 Evelyn St., Menlo Park. Late entries will be accepted from 7 to 7:45 a.m. on the day of the race.
