September 23, 2015
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A team of runners and volunteers at the Cooper Norcross Run the Bridge 10K Run & 2 Mile Bridge Walk.
Speaking of her grandson, Phoenix, a student at the Larc School, Joan Taylor said, “They said he’d never walk or talk, but now he runs and jumps. He even ran in the Special Olympics.”
Located in Bellmawr, New Jersey, the Larc School serves students with a wide range of disabilities and is the beneficiary of the Cooper Norcross Run the Bridge 10K Run & 2 Mile Walk. Each year on the first Sunday of November, thousands of participants take off from the New Jersey side of the Ben Franklin Bridge and proceed over the bridge, before turning around, running along the Camden Waterfront and crossing the finish line at Campbell’s Field.
With Phoenix as inspiration, it’s no surprise that his mother, Kasey Taylor, and grandmother’s volunteer efforts at the annual Cooper Norcross Run the Bridge event have grown into a strong team of about 30 runners — Team Phoenix.
“Every year we get more friends and family involved,” said Taylor. “We text and call folks, post on Facebook when it’s close to registration time and have Team Phoenix T-shirts. We do as much as we can. The staff at Larc is like a second family to us.”
In fact, Larc teacher Chelsie Young is Kasey Taylor’s niece.
“The first time I visited Larc was at my cousin Phoenix’s preschool graduation,” said Young. “After attending the ceremony, I decided to pursue a career in special education.”
Young has also been involved with the run for three years. In addition to running the bridge, she has helped engage the staff, students and families in run-related activities.
“My favorite part of the run is coming back over the bridge and seeing the walkers — family and friends — cheering us on. It puts extra pep into your run,” said Young. “The bridge run has grown so much. It’s tripled in size since I first ran, but it still feels warm and cozy … and like family.”
This year’s Cooper Norcross Run the Bridge 10K Run & 2 Mile Bridge Walk takes place on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. For more information on this annual event or to register, visit runthebridge.org.
