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No one was more energetic than Mikey Czech. The kid from New Canaan with an ever-present smile put energy into everything he did, particularly when it came to his passions for baseball and tennis.
The energy was still there even after Czech and his family found out on his 11th birthday that he had incurable brain cancer. It was there through trips to hospitals in Boston and New York, through experimental treatment plans, and even through the final weeks of his life, which came to an untimely end on Sept, 7, 2008. So nearly two years after Czech died, it's fitting that the benefit in his honor -- Miles for Mikey -- is a road race that will take place Sunday in New Canaan.
Pediatric brain tumors are rare and -- so far -- incurable. They account for 15 percent of pediatric cancers and are the most deadly.
But almost immediately following Mikey's death, his parents -- Jennifer and Steve -- founded the Mikey Czech foundation, a vehicle through which they hope to fund research that will some day lead to a cure. The process has been slow and at times frustrating. But the foundation is growing, and the Czechs are expecting a large turnout Sunday for the third annual running of Miles for Mikey, which starts at 9 a.m. at New Canaan High School.
"One thing we thought we could do since Mikey was very athletic -- he loved to run, loved tennis, loved baseball -- we thought we could do something for the kids," said Jennifer Czech. "We'd encourage everyone to come out, support Mikey and bring awareness to the disease." Miles for Mikey debuted in 2008 in a more informal setting. With an eye on inclusiveness, the Czechs billed the event as one in which walking was as much an option as running.
Though walking is still an option, the Czechs are putting a bigger emphasis this year on competition. They'll have a clock and official timers and have advertised the race on national running websites, hoping to draw athletes from across the region. Runners can register in advance at www.mikeyczech.org or in person beginning at 7 a.m.
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