Hanging (KB) tough

Brad Jennings
Posted 5/26/17

Kicking butt is something April Roos understands.

The Oregon native, who lives in town with her husband Josh and their son Hayden, was diagnosed with cancer in 2012. Some friends and family put together a fundraiser to help the family.

After that initia

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Hanging (KB) tough

Posted

OREGON – Kicking butt is something April Roos understands.
The Oregon native, who lives in town with her husband Josh and their son Hayden, was diagnosed with cancer in 2012. Some friends and family put together a fundraiser to help the family.
After that initial event, Roos kept the event going, establishing the KB Fund to help others burdened by a medical crisis.
The family belongs to Freedom Lutheran church, the Blackhawk Snowblazers snowmobile club and enjoys spending weekends outdoors with family and friends.
April Roos sat down to answer some questions about the KB Tough Run, which is Saturday, June 24
at White Pines Ranch. Visit .com for more information and to register.
Question: What is the KB Tough Run?
Answer: The KB Tough Run is the major fundraising event for the KB Fund. The fund has been established to support those in our community that are burdened by the expenses that a medical crisis can present. This family friendly event featuring the KB Tough Run,  Angie Daub-Bergstrom Memorial Trail Hike and Kid Sprint. The Tough Run is not an average road race, it travels approximately 3 miles through the pastures, valleys and canyon of White Pines Ranch with optional obstacles along the route.

If you aren’t a runner, you can join us for the trail hike showcasing the beautiful property. The hike is shorter than the Tough Run route but still not stroller friendly. The Kid Sprint is specifically designed for our youngest Tough Runners with age appropriate obstacles for kids 9 years and under.
In addition to the run, hike and kid sprint the day is highlighted by fun fundraising games and raffles as well as a Kid Zone game area, famously delicious pork chop sandwich lunch by the Ogle County Pork Producers and Prairie Street Brewing Company onsite with their craft beer.

Q. Where does the name KB come from?
A. KB stands for Kick Butt. KB became part my life as a child. My dad, Gary French, coached the softball team they would say KICK BUTT in their team huddle before taking the field. Coach French received a phone call from a mom who expressed her dislike for young girls saying kick butt so at the next game kick butt was abbreviated to KB. KB was used by his teams for several years following that season. Fast forward to 2012 when at 30 years old I was diagnosed with cancer. I used KB in one of my early Caring Bridge online blog entries expressing that I was ready to KB as treatment started at UW Madison’s Carbone Cancer Center. KB spread through the community of supporters; KB yard signs would total upwards of 125, T-shirts were sold and shipped around the country and the KB Tough Run benefit was held to help support me, Josh and Hayden with expenses insurance did not cover.
Q. Who should take part in the event?
A. This is a family friendly event and everyone should attend! If you aren’t a runner or interested in the hike join us for the fundraising raffles, prize wheel game and Horsey Bingo or come out for the pork chops done by the Ogle County Pork Producers and cool off with a craft beer from Prairie Street Brewing Company.  
Q. Where does the money raised go?
A. The money raised at the event goes into the KB Fund. This fund has been established to help those in our community that are burdened by the additional expenses a medical crisis brings. Over the last 5 years the fund has supported people with needs coming from a cancer diagnosis, premature birth, automotive accidents, burns, emergency surgeries and more.
Q. What are you doing differently this year?
A. 2017 brings a big change to the annual event. The typical afternoon event is moving to the morning. Event day registration and check in will start at 9 a.m. followed by the 10 a.m. Kid Sprint and 10:30 a.m. KB Tough Run start. Lunch will be ready at 11 a.m.
Also, help the KB Family honor our great friend by walking the Daub-Bergstrom Memorial Trail Hike. This year’s hike is in memory of a special lady that supported everything KB from day one. Angie loved the color orange so all are encouraged to wear orange to show their love. Special recognition will be made on event shirts as well.
Q. How do you see the event evolving in the future?
A. The event, now in its 6th year, continues to grow each year with more participants coming and more sponsors joining us. We anticipate the change to a morning race start to expand on this growth.