On June 15th at Sawyer Point in Cincinnati, we will hold the “Run for Chief” race in honor of Jaden Woodard for the second time. Jay Chief, as he was often called, was born with a heart defect and underwent multiple heart surgeries by the age of two. At 11, his heart began to fail, and he required a heart transplant. In 2014, as a freshman at Summit, he received his new heart at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and was able to thrive socially and academically in the years following his surgery. He also ran for Summit’s cross country and track teams which is an extraordinary feat given his condition. Jay Chief graduated from Summit in 2018 and attended The Ohio State University as a finance major. Jaden interned at JPMorgan Chase Bank in New York City before the start of his senior year of college where he had the time of his life and made some of his closest friends. Jaden passed away on September 12, 2021 at the age of 21 after complications with his new heart.
This event was started as a way to remember Jay Chief because of the extraordinary life that he lived. I cannot express in words the positive impact that he made on my life and countless others. Because of this race, Jaden’s impact is still felt today by the families at Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute.
Here is just one example of the impact made through signing up for our race and donating! This was sent to us regarding our Christmas donation:
“The mother of the child who received the Nerf guns told me the other day, ‘This is the best money that’s ever been spent.’ He apparently hid in an empty room and had his nurse call down to his other favorite nurses, and then ‘surprised’ them with the Nerf gun. The mom said it was the most fun he’s had in a long time because he has been in the hospital for months.”
The proceeds will continue to be donated to families at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital who have children receiving heart transplants just like Jaden did. Heart transplants are expensive, with an average cost of $1,670,000 before insurance, and families face additional costs such as long drives, hotel stays, and hospital food. Our goal is to alleviate a portion of that financial stress through our donations while also bringing a smile to the faces of the patients!
Jaden’s legacy and positive impact continues to live on through the “Run for Chief” race through the donations made at Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute.
| Price Schedule | 5K |
|---|---|
| Through February 29 | $30 |
| March 1- May 31 | $35 |
| June 1-15 | $40 |
| Schedule of Events |
|---|
| 9:30am: Race Day Registration and Packet Pickup Begins |
| 10:20am: Pre- Race Announcements |
| 10:30am: 5k Run / Walk Begins |
| 11:30am-12:30pm: Race ends with food, drinks, and celebrating Jay Chief |
Pre-Race Packet Pickup
| Race packet pick-up will be held at Fleet Feet Oakley. Date and times will be announced over the coming months. Fleet Feet Oakley: 3235 Madison Rd Cincinnati, OH 45209 |
SWAG
Coming Soon!
Course Map
Race registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable.