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After graduating high school, she soon became a young mother. After the birth of her first child, her doctor prescribed her oxycodone for pain she was having. Thus began the 12 year battle of addiction that she would face.
Summer's fight was not an easy one, yet it was typical of one battling the disease of addiction. Many years of therapy, rehabilitation and a mental health diagnosis related to her early childhood abuse led her to the doorstep of Schenectady County Drug Court, where she began the rigerous program that would lead her through one of the best years of her life. Reunited with family, amends made, an active and loving mother of her three boys, Summer was in a wonderful place. She was a resident of the Schenetady YWCA Women's Housing Program and had just completed her first 5 k race led by mentors of STEM (Strong Through Every Mile). Crossing the finish line in December 2014 was a moment of empowerment for Summer and the women she ran with. After a Christmas spent with family she settled into the New Year with hopes and aspirations for her future.
Tragically on January 9, 2015, Summer succumbed to the disease of addiction, with a relapse her body could not sustain. Summer never wanted to be an "addict", she only wanted to be loved and to be a good mother. As she told her own mother, " I wish I had never picked up that first drug, I became addicted before I even knew I was". Today Summer is survived by her 3 beautiful boys, ages 18, 9 and 8. In her memory we establish this race to race awareness of the disease of addiction and to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction. With belief in a life lived in recovery, Summer's Family
The Summer Smith 5k Addiction Awareness Memorial Run is an event created to honor Summer's memory and to help educate the community regarding addiction.
Race Details: The Race location is Guilderland High School located at 8 School Road Guilderland Center NY . The event starts from the West Parking Lot. Registration will open at 8:00 Am. The Memory Ceremony/Balloon Release begins at 9:00 am. Start time for the run is 9:45 am. Runners will start the event, followed by the walkers. A 1/4 mile kids fun run for ages 8 and under will be held at 9:30 am preceeding the main race. No payment is needed for the kids fun run, but registration should be completed. Warm - Up Zumba will begin at 9:20 am. Hosted in May each year!
* T-Shirts will be given to the first 250 paid
participants who register at runsignup.com
* Certified 5K Course
* Pre and post race refreshments provided
* Kids Bounce House and Fun Run
* $100.00 Cash Prize to the1st place Winner
* $ 75.00 Cash Prize to the 2nd Place Winner
* $ 50.00 Cash Prize to the 3rd Place Winner
* Family Friendly
* Friendly dogs may walk/run with owner.
Must stay on leash at all times.
* Proceeds to benefit Schenectady YWCA
The Addictions Care Center of Albany
Friends of Recovery Albany and the
Capital District GRASP Chapter
Race Director: Kristin Hoin email: zanharst@aol.com
Summer Smith 5K Memorial Run
P.O. Box 12661
Albany, 12212
P.O. Box 12661
Albany, 12212
Summer Smith 5K Memorial Run
Upcoming Events
There are no scheduled events.