Lives of young athletes are saved when proper training and technology are available on the sports field, arena and school premises.

Thanks to proceeds from last year’s Colton’s Main Street Run, all teachers and support staff at Durant schools have received CPR and certification in use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs).

The Shea Family in Frisco, Texas, tells everyone they meet about the immeasurable value of AEDs at school. Their daughter Kylee collapsed and quit breathing on her way to gym class. She was suffering from heart arrhythmia. Fortunately, her teachers had been trained to use the AED hanging on the wall, and according to her doctors, it saved her life. “Without them, I wouldn’t be here. Because if they weren’t trained to use the AED, it wouldn’t even matter if it was there or not,” Kylee said.

This year’s Run is scheduled Oct. 20 at 9 a.m. For the 5K and 10K, pre-registrations are $20 per runner. For the one-mile fun run/walk and members of School Cross Country Teams, registration is $10 per runner. Pre-registration can be made online at www.coltonsrun.com; the deadline is midnight October 16. A $5 late fee will be applied after the deadline and registrations will be taken on race day.

Colton’s Main Street Run is held in memory of Colton Sherrill, son of Trace and Dena Sherrill. The 10-year old athlete and Durant Main Street volunteer passed away four years ago while playing basketball from an unknown heart defect. The Sherrill Family is turning tragedy into triumph by providing training and life-saving technology to save lives.

The Shea Family heard about the Run and wholeheartedly supports it, encouraging all runners, volunteers and contributors to get behind this event.

“There’s just no way to put into words how grateful we are that the AED was available and the teachers were trained to use it. By supporting this event, you don’t know whose life you might be saving, it could be someone very dear to you, so participate in any way you can to make this another successful Run,” said Coach Brent Reese, Maus Middle School, Frisco ISD.

According to Beverly Hemphill, Durant Main Street Manager, the community will also enjoy a drum line, two disc jockeys, great food and a lot of celebrating as runners reach the home stretch and receive their awards. For more information call Beverly Hemphill at 580.924.1660 or to register visit www.coltonsrun.com.