Event Description

Hi!  

My name is Johnny Agar and I’m the new co-race-director of the St. Patrick Parnell Festival 5K that is now named Johnny’s Run!  My cerebral palsy tried to prevent me from doing what I love. Being an athlete was something I had always wanted, but wheelchair sports were out of the question since I can only use one hand, and nobody wants someone on their team who can only spin in circles! 😊

Several years ago, my dad started pushing me in road races as a way for me to participate in sports. After doing several races with my dad, I knew I was capable of more after seeing athletes around me push themselves past their own physical and mental challenges. 

So, I decided to finish a race on my own two feet with the help of my walker even though I had only ever walked 23 steps! I accomplished my goal in 2013 at the Saint Patrick Parnell Festival 5k. It took me one hour and forty-five minutes to complete and it was an amazing accomplishment for me! 

That “Impossible Mile” has led to an abundance of blessings— one of which is being able to co-direct this traditional race that the Festival Committee agreed to dub now as Johnny’s Run.  It is quite an honor and I’m equally honored to be learning how to direct a race from one of the area’s best -- Mr. Tom Theoret, who was the race director for nearly 30 years growing the Irish Jig from a few hundred to the many thousand who run it today.    

I would love to invite you to participate with us in this family-friendly race that always kicks off the St Patrick Parnell Festival in Parnell, Michigan.

This year, we are excited because there will be TWO opportunities to participate...the Johnny's Run 5k & Johnny's Impossible Mile Challenge!