The All Terrain Hero was a complete success! What started as an idea to encourage fitness in an all-terrain fun run turned into an entire series of races across the country raising SMA awareness with each mile.
Meet Shelley. She and Gwendolyn happen to share the same birthday — October 4th. Shelley and her husband run an offroad 4×4 race series called Dirt Riot and a 4×4 rockcrawling series called WE Rock. They travel across the world managing these events — in fact, they were just in Japan and South Korea. Life keeps them pretty busy. But, Shelley had the idea to get people out of their vehicles and onto the dirt — encouraging health and exploration of these private trails where the 4×4 races take place. Through Uncle Richard and Aunt Kristen (Bill's brother-in-law and sister), Shelley started following the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation on Facebook. She was moved by the SMA cause and soon decided to create an opportunity to raise awareness and funding. The All Terrain Hero was born.
Shelley had never organized a run before. But she believed in the cause and poured her energy into it and soon people of all ages and fitness levels were signing up. Children through grandparents hit the dirt and ran, walked, climbed in honor of SMA. The first race was so much fun that soon there were races planned across the country in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Alabama, Texas, and Kentucky. Every course was different with varied terrain and distances averaging around 5 miles. Each runner received a special race shirt with “theGSF.org” and NEVER GIVE UP. on it and information about SMA. The total after the final race is in and the All Terrain Hero raised $5442!!! INCREDIBLE!
With a simple idea to take something around her and make it something more, Shelley has truly made a difference. Thank you Shelley. Thank you to all those involved with the All Terrain Hero race. Thank you for being the GOOD.