Josh & Gus's Run for a Reason was reason enough to brave the cold& twirlfor the crowd Sat. Sept. 23rd.

It was the3rd Annual 5K Run & 2K Family Fittness Walk hosted by Tami & Jake Gove, and Lunden & Patrick MacDonald,the parents of Josh & Gus, who both died of Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC).Three Metro Areatwirlers were honoredwhen asked to perform at such animportant event. Being involved in such a positive sport is what earned them this honor.

Most people hear the phrase "baton twirler" and picture the stereotypical "Marching Majorette" with white boots and a big hat. The crowd at this event learned that is not the case these days.

Twirling has evolved tremendously in the past 20 years.Now, it's a combination of dance, gymnastics, and hand-eye coordination that takesmany long, hard intensehours of trainingto perfect.Not only does it produce great physical athletes, it breeds intelligent, outgoing young ladies who excel as young adults as they enter the world.

Not many people know what a well-rounded sport twirling is. But if one were to spend a week in the life of a twirler, they would soon grasp the fact that it's not just about tossing and catching a stick. It's about something you don't see much of these days: Traditions of hard work & moral ethics being passed down generation after generation.

When introduced to twirling at a young age, girls are exposed to many positive role models. If not taught by their parents, they inherit priceless, strong personal values from their twirling coaches.Values, it seems that have been lost in these days of "making your mark" in the world.

While developing amazing physical greatness, theirminds equally developed to be strong, yet caring at the same time. A fine line to walk and succeed in today's competitive world.

So on that cold, windy Saturday morning, for these twirlers, it was not about tossing astick in front of a crowd. It was about being part of the community. Wanting to be a part of a great cause, and doingwhat they could to help make such an important event memorable for those who came out to raise moneyfor S.U.D.C. research.

Thanks to the parents to Josh and Gus and all of the people who helped organize this event. The girls understand how important it is to make the pubic aware of such an unheard of disease.They were more thanhappy to be a part of it, andhopefully now, people will be a little more aware of what being a baton twirler really means.