Steve Gray, a Coast Guard veteran who fell 30 feet in a 1983 shipboard accident and suffered brain and neck injuries, drove from his home in Kansas City last year to participate in a Barrington event that has been making a difference in the lives of veterans for seven years.
The Barrington Honor Ride & Run (BHRR), a non-competitive cycling event where active service members, injured veterans, first responders, and the public come together to raise crucial, life-changing funds in support of Project Hero’s local programs, will be held this year on Sunday, August 13.
Gray will be there again this year in what he says was a “life changing” event. “If it weren’t for me riding with the veterans, I’d probably be in a wheel chair now,” he explains. “My condition had been getting worse and worse. Now if I didn’t ride I’d be stiff legged and could not even get around. That Honor Ride in Barrington is where it all got started for me.”
Brothers and sisters Mark Konicek, Colleen Konicek, and Katie Konicek
Karam have organized the Barrington event from its inception.
For a donation, you can ride, run, or walk with them. Walk a mile on your own, or bike for 47. This year’s event will feature three bike distances (10, 30 or 50 miles) through the Barrington’s idyllic scenery, and a trail run and fun walk through Spring Lake Forest Preserve. If past events provide prologue, the day will be high-spirited civic affirmation of duty and thankfulness, though designed to do far more than engender sentiment.
It’s a day of literal healing…
The 7th annual BHRR will take place August 13 at the Barrington Hills Park District with opening ceremonies—including the Operation “Wild Horse” Mounted Color Guard—at 8 a.m. The bike, run, and walk culminate in a community festival of fun for the whole family as BHRR joins forces with Barrington Hills’ 5th annual heritage festival, “The Hills Are Alive.” Enjoy free food and music, free activities, and games for the whole family. Participants can register online or donate at honorridebarrington.com. Veterans ride for free.
You can read the full feature article in Barrington Country magazine here.
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