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Thank you for a fun and successful 2024 Cleftstrong 5k!

11/5/2024

HATS OFF....
TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR A SPECTACULAR FINISH in 2024!

What an amazing race! Hard to believe it marked the 11th year. CleftStrong sends many thanks to everyone who joined the race to heal smiles. The annual CleftStrong 5k and Kids 1K took place once more to benefit the continuation of advancing oral cleft medical research and patient care through the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA). Christus Health was the 2024 CleftStrong 5k Presenting sponsor, making this the 7th year they have presented our annual event and donating a total of $35,000.00 to make this event successful for the community. This event was held virtually across the states and in San Antonio, Tx at Eisenhower Park, on Sunday, October 13, 2024. PURPLE was the color of this 11th race strengthening the public park trails with its Craniofacial Awareness color and uniting many strong filled journeys in belief of a world where individuals with cleft and craniofacial conditions THRIVE.

We are also excited to say that we hit another high registration record this year and welcomed right around 350 people onto the course in San Antonio, Texas. Additionally, CleftStrong participants gathered virtually around the United States from California, Colorado, Minnesota, Iowa, Louisiana, Alabama, Ohio, North Carolina, Maryland, New York and Massachusetts!! The tremendous energy formed across the states each year for this very worthy cause is always the force that drives our organization's work the following year. Ray and I are excited to share our list of the National 2024 CleftStrong Thrivers and CleftStrong Champions. Together, with the hand of corporate sponsors, personal donors, participants and the hard work of many volunteers, we were able to raise $16,400.28 in support of ACPA's mission to serve and support not only the patients, but their families as well. Additionally, participants were able to raise an additional $255.00 through their own fundraising efforts and those funds will be donated directly toward medical care for local families in need. Thank you all for your generous contributions!

Congratulations to all 2024 CleftStrong 5k race winners this year! Mr. Cody Campos finished as the Top Overall Male Finisher, coming in at 19:04.4 and Ms. Andrea Owens finished as the 5k Category Top Overall Female Finisher, coming in at 22:24.0. For a complete list of all age category winners, please click here. Additionally, congratulations to all 2024 CleftStrong Kids 1K finishers! Naomi Salas finished as the 2024 Top overall 1K Finisher at 3:59.1, Everett Niznik came in second at 4:01.4, with Yusuf Mehdawi coming in third at 4:02.3.

Several fun awards were also given out this year! Congratulations to our Most Creative Team: All About Alani, Largest 5k Team: Maddilynn P., and Highest Fundraising Team: Jack Attack! To all those who supported a fundraising team near and far, we send great thanks to you for your support!

Top Overall Male 5k Finisher - CODY CAMPOS

Top Overall Female 5k Finisher - ANDREA OWENS

Top Kids 1K Finisher - NAOMI SALAS

2nd Place Kids 1K Finisher - EVERETT NIZNIK

3rd Place Kids 1K Finisher - YUSUF MEHDAWI

Most Creative Team - ALL ABOUT ALANI!

Largest 5k Team - MADDILYNN P

Highest Fundraising Team - JACK ATTACK

Some special highlights this year included welcoming Ms. Carla Taylor, BHA, Clinical Operations Manager at 7 year Presenting Sponsor, Christus Children's Hospital Outpatient Center and Ms. Charlene Bell, ACPA Senior Manager of Development & Strategic Partnerships. As always, we send a heartfelt thank you to the American Cleft Palate - Craniofacial Association for their passion in creating a world where people with cleft and craniofacial conditions thrive. To view ACPA resources for each stage of life along the medical journey, click here.

It was a very special pleasure to welcome the Hidden Forest Falcon Singers from North East Independent School District back a fourth year to present the National Anthem, Dr. Nikolas Amini, Board Certified Orthodontist, Member of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association and Orthodontist at Methodist Children's Hospital Cleft/Craniofacial Team who led our participants in a race warm up, and Dr. Joel Diaz, DMD, MSD with Diaz Prosthodontics as a special guest speaker supporting the cause and our community. Thank you for your special parts in making this race one to remember! Your participation means the world to so many.

The CleftStrong 5k and Kids Run is solely operated by volunteers who dedicate countless hours to plan and host this event each year. We'd like to send a special thank you to those who joined in volunteering to help make this event possible for the community. Your creativity and drive are what makes this morning the very best. To our corporate sponsors and personal donors, thank you for believing in our mission and choosing our organization to support. If you would like to be a part of next year's event, please contact us here.

CleftStrong has a one of a kind committee of volunteers! Thank you for all of your extra time and hard work to make this event happen.
2024 CleftStrong 5k Committee Chairs:
Sarah Garber - Virtual Race + Social Coordinator
Gloria Madera - Emcee
Ashley Snyder - Kids Zone and Run Coordinator
Brittany Roohan - Awards Coordinator
Stephanie Hernandez - Sign in and Registration Coordinator
Analia Rivera - Volunteer Central and Welcome Coordinator
Hector Hernandez - Set up and Take Down Coordinator
Cecile Montanez- Decorating Coordinator
Patricia Espinoza - Marketing Coordinator
Ray and Chelsea Ortiz - Race Directors

Looking forward to YEAR 12!
Happy Holidays!
Ray and Chelsea Ortiz
CleftStrong Co-Founders & Race Directors

..speaking of next year's race...

We can't wait!
Get a head start and be the first to know when registration opens here!
As our way of saying thank you to our returning participants next year, we are offering a special EARLY ACCESS REGISTRATION period with an additional discount. Just be one of the first 50 to register and receive your extra discount. Look for this email with early access around March, 2025!

Did you know that a happy review from an awesome 5ker like you, goes a long way in helping others feel confident joining our race and supporting cleft and craniofacial medical journeys all around? If you have a few seconds, we sure would appreciate your review!

CleftStrong 5k Reviews Here
Thank you for your support!

Find Reliable ACPA Resources for your Cleft Journey Here