Liam’s Life Foundation’s Chasin’ Change Virtual Run
Marcus Kowal with his wife, Mishel Eder and son, Liam Kowal (Marcus Kowal)
Systems Training Center has always been and will always be a family community with strong ties to family values. Martial arts and fitness is just the vehicle we're able to bring our true mission to life and that's to bring health, purpose, and happiness to people's lives. These values have been a part of the Systems fabric since the beginning. Marcus Kowal the founder of Systems Training Center always had this vision for the gym but that mission and vision was strengthened when he and his wife Mishel Eder, had their first son Liam Mikael Kowal on May 25, 2015.
Liam was a gym kid and spent much of his short life at Systems Training Center. On September 3, 2016, at only 15-months of age, Liam was killed when a drunk driver hit him and his aunt at a pedestrian crossing. The loss was unfathomable.
During this time, everyone really got to see the strength of the Systems Training Center. The support and love Marcus and Mishel received was one of the only things that kept them tethered.
Liam Kowal’s hand in father’s, Marcus Kowal
It's been a difficult and long journey for the Kowal family, as any bereaved parent will tell you but since then there has also been a lot of beauty. Marcus and Mishel started a foundation to fight drunk driving crashes in honor of Liam. Liam's Life Foundation was founded on 9/13/16.
To see some of the things that Liam's Life Foundation has accomplished in the last few years click here.
Marcus Kowal and wife, Mishel Eder speaking against drunk driving in front of Systems Training Center
In the month of December, Systems Training Center will be supporting Liam's Life Foundation in the Chasin' Change Run/Walk. Liam's Life is hosting a virtual run/walk as fundraiser to continue the fight to eliminate drunk driving fatalities. The goal is for 300 people to join the run and the money will be used to educate 20,000 teens about the dangers of drunk driving. Next year's goal is focused on teens because alcohol is involved in 60% of teen traffic fatalities.
We're asking the Systems Training Center community and the martial arts community as a whole to come together for this cause because this can happen to anyone, any time yet it is 100% preventable. Join the Systems team and Liam's Life Foundation in December for a good cause and another reason to keep moving for the Chasin' Change Run/Walk. All details can be found below.
Connect with Liam's Life Foundation on our website, our Facebook Page, our Instagram or you can email us.
Join the Systems Training Center team on the website to tag along our run on Saturday, December 4th at 8AM at Hermosa Beach Pier! The group will start together, but you can end at either the 5K, 10K, or Half Marathon mark! Whichever run you signed up for!
CHASIN' CHANGE LIAM'S LIFE RUN/WALK DETAILS:
When: Run anytime in the month of December. Registration for the run closes on December 15, 2021.
Distances: 5k, 10k, 13.2 mi
Run in a team or individually!
US Participants: $35 - you'll receive a commemorative medal
International Participants: $30 - due to shipping complications we are unable to ship medals internationally
Students: $15
FAQ:
What if I don't want to run but would like to donate?
There is a donate-only option available but we encourage everyone to participate in the event. You don't have to run, you can walk it! Donate-only option: https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/CA/Hawthorne/liamsliferun
Where do I sign up for the run?
You can sign up here: https://runsignup.com/Race/Info/CA/Hawthorne/liamsliferun
I don't live in the US and it's prompting me to give a US address. What do I do?
The address is only a requirement for US participants, if you're being prompted to provide a valid US address it means you just need to go back a step and select the INTERNATIONAL option. The runs are separated by distance and US or international. On the website, the first three options are for US participants, then the international options are listed.
https://runsignup.com/Race/Info/CA/Hawthorne/liamsliferun
How do I sign up/create a team?
On the website there is a tab called Groups/Teams. You can search for a team to see if your team is already there or you can create a team (if you're on a desktop - about half way down the page on the right side there's a button called Create a Group/Team). Have your team name ready.
Create or search for a team here: https://runsignup.com/RaceGroups/120453
What if I want to add a teammate after the team/group was created?
Additional teammates can find your team on the Group/Team tab and add themselves after the team was created.
Search for your team here: https://runsignup.com/RaceGroups/120453
How do I track my time when I run?
The easiest and fastest way to check-in is through the RaceDay CheckIn mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.
Check-in opens on 12/1/21 12:00am (PST). When you're ready to run, go to the RaceDay CheckIn app, search Chasin' Change: Liam's Life Virtual Winter Run/Walk
Select the run and enter the password: #rememberLiam
The password IS CASE SENSITIVE so be sure to capitalize Liam's name.
Can I post on social media about the run?
Please do! We love seeing all the support. You can tag us @rememberliamslife and/or use the hashtags #chasinchangeliam and #rememberliam