Community Spirit Shines Bright at 14th Annual Race the Helix in Greenwood

Sunny Skies and Community Spirit Shine at Greenwood’s Race the Helix

Greenwood, SC – It was a picturesque day on Saturday as runners laced up their sneakers for the highly anticipated 14th Annual Race the Helix-Greenwood event. With a forecast predicting a mix of sun and clouds and a hint that a stray shower or thunderstorm might make an appearance, racers braved the elements for a day filled with determination, camaraderie, and community spirit. Temperatures reaching around 90°F perfectly complemented the enthusiasm in the air.

The event, held at the Greenwood Genetic Center, brought together dozens of participants from varying walks of life, all united by a common cause. The centerpiece of the day was the 5K run and the one-mile walk—both aimed at raising awareness and funds for genetic disorders.

The Heartwarming Story of Ryleigh

Among the many heartwarming scenes was that of Stephen Shenal having a heartfelt talk with his daughter, Ryleigh, before the race began. Ryleigh was born in 2010, diagnosed with a chromosomal microdeletion that presents numerous medical and developmental challenges. The Greenwood Genetic Center, which diagnosed her condition at birth, has been a pillar of support for the Shenal family over the years. Stephen shared, “We wanted to start something to give back to the Greenwood Genetic Center. It’s been nothing but support from the community.”

Lori and Jonathan: A Father’s First 5K

Also notable was Lori Bassett holding her phone up so her husband, Jonathan, could get a FaceTime pep talk from their daughter before the start. Jonathan, inspired by his daughter’s supportive words, was all set to run his first-ever 5K. “I just turned 50, so I decided I was going to get on a little health kick and start running,” Jonathan said. “I’ve always come to volunteer. It’s a great cause, and I appreciate that.”

Fueled by Community Support

The event has grown significantly over the years, drawing people who share connections to genetic conditions. Amanda Kuykendall attended with the Grace Gathering home school group, noting how they have benefitted from the genetic center. “I’m glad that we have this resource here. Everything was fine and checked out, but we didn’t have to go to Columbia or Charlotte or somewhere else. We had a resource that’s right here. So, that’s awesome,” she remarked with gratitude.

Meanwhile, Brett Sayers made his participation even more meaningful by pairing the race with a work visit. “It’s something I’m very passionate about because you could potentially find targeted cures for different kinds of cancers and things like that,” noted Sayers.

A Community Effort

As families, friends, and community members came together, they were joined by medical professionals like Theresa Erlenbach, who recently started working at the genetic center’s J.C. Self Research Institute. “I really like the mission of the Greenwood Genetic Center and trying to help patients with genetics disorders,” Theresa said. “When I saw they were doing this race to try to raise money for the work that they do here, I knew I immediately had to sign up to do it.”

For LaTonya Garrett, a patient navigator at Self Regional Healthcare’s Montgomery Center for Family Medicine, the race was part of her health routine. “I love this race,” Garrett exclaimed. “I did it last year as well. So, for me, it was great. I finished in under an hour, which, for the first time, is awesome. So, I’m excited.”

The top overall male and female finishers, along with winners in each age-group category, received awards, which added a touch of friendly competition. Participants could check the race results online—a testament to the hard work and dedication of all those involved.

On this sunny day mixed with clouds, Greenwood came together under the banner of hope and support, making the 14th Annual Race the Helix-Greenwood event a memorable and heartfelt gathering.