For The Love of Go, a Hays County area nonprofit organization, is on a mission to “get people off the couch” by organizing, directing and promoting healthy activities such as 5Ks and walk/run groups.
“What we set out to do was create an event where people could come and participate and feel safe and maybe that would get them excited about doing fitness,” Jennifer Crosby, one of the founders of For The Love of Go said.
How it started
In mid-2008, Crosby and her husband, Todd, decided to start eating consciously and exercising consistently. Their son Jacob, who is now in college, would tag along for the journey.
“The way we originally did that was to sign up for races that we could find in the area once a month and the three of us would go and we would take turns with who would push our son in the stroller and who would run,” Crosby said.
They moved from Lockhart to Kyle when Jacob began attending Negley Elementary School. Crosby joined the school’s PTA because she was interested in helping with its annual 5K and ended up directing the race, the first of many to come.
Crosby said For The Love of Go events are all-inclusive and they ensure they accommodate individuals who may be blind, deaf, in a wheelchair or running with blades.
“We want everyone to come,” she said. “Everyone is welcome. Whether you’re a runner, a walker… you’re pushing a stroller, you’re bringing your dog, you’re bringing your grandma, anyone is welcome and there’s always a volunteer spot. There’s always a spot at the starting line. We just want you to come and be part of a community of people.”
Crosby emphasizes the value of community within For The Love of Go. She said the event participants, volunteers and the organization’s donors and board of directors are what make For The Love of Go successful.
“It is an entire community,” Crosby said. “It’s its own little pod of people that are working together for improvement and wellness.”
