Kirby Patton

Kirby Kid Race BCCH Children's Hospital Love Story

Monday 21st Apr

Are you the ONE?

Are YOU a distance-maker?

"Picture this! You're standing at a distance looking out at a world whose leaders capture your imagination and stir your heart to move, but you are frozen in your tracks at the mere sight and majesty of their individual and collective power. Thoughts tell you that you can't belong to such a pack of warriors in life who mentally and physically excel beyond measure. They lead fearlessly. They are people who gather together from all nations and who rhythmically unite in one place for health, happiness and in their love to help support others to reach their full potential. They are local, national and international citizens who love to show up and tackle life for cultivating formidable mental health, healthy lifestyle, physical resilience and well-being in order to defy the odds and gain comeback power for facing life's challenges. 

Each ONE has a GIANT reason for their forward motion and drive to not give up. Their unstoppable mindset launches their heartbeats into a race against the clock which is, indeed, measureable by their astounding footprints. They're people who take their place in life, at the start line, with divine reverence and awesome responsibility who are determined walkers, wheelers, runners, and cheering enthusiasts. They are the ONES to go the distance for crossing their International Marathon 42.2 km medal finish lines which unifies them all. Stopped in my tracks, at the mere sight of a Vancouver, BC run group in 2001, I recognized it was a feat out of my human reach. It's a sport with a fantastic formula modelled by ONES belonging to Running Room Canada and YMCA-YWCA training groups who are well-practised, committed race participants who I saw float above the ground by their run beat across the Burrard Street bridge. Utterly captivated and desiring the same superhuman power that they all possessed, I tried to shift my defeated perspective. All the while my heart was pounding out of my chest as though I was back in the myriad of emergency, hospital room theatres as I had flashbacks to my non-stop, prayerful vigils in the hospital zone where corridors and overnight stays had become a familiar, second home to me. 

A 42.2 km marathon distance was far beyond my imagination's grasp when I'd been absorbed in the 24-7 care, by years, of my beloved for ensuring my British Columbia Children's Hospital neonatal intensive care unit NICU newborn baby survived who was unexpectedly born with undetectable brain by CT scans at birth. Living by split-seconds, in watch over my child's very survival, with dozens of medical specialists in our daily life, this was my normal given my child's multiple, physical and intellectual disabilities. My sole focus, and no. 1 life passion remains to champion my child and for my child's each breath to be safeguarded in caregiving so that my lionhearted, loving powerhouse shines all the days that life affords us! I knew how to become a children's hospital NICU newborn baby advocate and maternal force by sheer instinct, will, work, hope, faith, and trust in a higher power, exercising relentless endurance for the round-the-clock care of my superbaby from Day 1. My infant's chronic, back-to-back, emergency, brain surgeries brought about coast to coast, life-saving operations in Canada's British Columbia's Children's Hospital and Toronto SickKids Children's Hospital with a lifetime of gratitude for our world's frontliners and for passerby's kindnesses. 

My thoughts returned to a distance of 42.2 km that was unreal to me. Yet, my younger self and 7 year old inner voice seemed to grow louder and louder within me even as I grew more fearful to see joyful runners hit their strides as a pack and cross the Burrard St. bridge coming closer into view. A mighty, invisible force steered me in a direction of fearlessness, with a no return stance, which literally propelled me out of my state of anxiety for mindfully pivoting to a BOLD, fresh perspective to "outrun my fear and run my heartbeat with love in life." It was, in fact, the striking example of leadership of my own superhero and phenomenal children's hospital NICU newborn baby who has survived and who thrives over decades.The ONE who brilliantly exercises how "to outrun fear by running life with love" each second of my wonder child's life while in the hands and the trust of devoted strangers, at first sight. Quality of life I have learned, by my child's living testimony, is a conscious, spiritual practice of "walking by faith, not by sight" who was born blind and who uses loving breathwork to perfectly communicate and model the bravery and indomitable spirit which ALL international children's hospital NICU newborn champions model, the world over. Unshakeable NICU feats from the get-go which my own ONE distinguished gentleman and superhero lives by. How do you run the 42.2 km distance? One breath at a time, and one step at a time. Our international children's hospital NICU newborn babies are our global race of leaders and teachers. 

My ONE reason to show up and train in 2001 with Running Room and YMCA-YWCA marathon training groups is crystal clear to me. My ONE reason for achieving unthinkable, athletic feats as a Boston Marathoner, 100 km ultramarathon, and children's hospital fundraising marathon ambassador over decades in my international career as a professional educator is crystal clear to me. My ONE  reason to survive and recover from my multiple accident injuries abroad with comeback power to safely walk-run this year's 2025 BMO Vancouver International Marathon 8 km is crystal clear to me. We are absolutely powerful beyond our wildest dreams for comeback power by showing up, breathing, and running our heartbeats with love. Our living testimonies reflect a world of daily, ultramarathon, medal champions as a human race by our shared, real-life storytelling. Why not start by trying ONE fun run! Finding ONE reason for movement is the key as your own gatekeeper! International children's hospital NICU newborn babies are heroic, mesmerizing, stupefying distance-makers who contribute to our highest potential by their example as massively-loving, difference-makers who show up, never give up and lead the NICU pack to become life's best versions! International children's hospital NICU newborn babies are ALL my ONE reason to return to run Vancouver Canada's nation's LARGEST BMO International Marathon and fun runs on May 4, 2025 precisely 22 years later to the exact date of my Vancouver International Marathon Boston Marathon 42.2 km (26.2 miles) Qualifying Finisher Time on May 4, 2003. A life feat thanks to Running Room and my RR pace bunny! My 2003 Vancouver International Marathon Boston Marathon qualifying time was 3:49:20. 

This journey always reminds me of my ONE reason to make a comeback with a smile and put my best foot forward in life thanks to the ONE I live for and who I emulate! I started my run journey by walking. I got shin splints along Vancouver's breathtaking seawall. My purpose was to move for FUN, pray and run my heartbeat with love. Training is the strategic edge I learned and the ultimate, injury-free pathway to healthy, sport performance, recovery, and high endurance athleticism. How do you return to the zone that you once excelled at when you've experienced loss of any kind to derail you and show up a different way? You simply click your heels together 3 x like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz remembering your ONE reason to show up for going the distance. I am utterly grateful and truly honoured to show up, one more time in life, and with all my heart try my best to go the distance in a healthy, happy, fundraiser for NICU newborns, ONES to "outrun fear and run their heartbeats with love in life." Humanity's heart-wrenching loss is a call to action for a new pathway which is not for the faint-hearted. AND the best news is just like me, I am ONE of your kind who can succeed to adapt believing that what seems unreal in a split-second can be transcended by faith in the next breath to be the author and finisher of our uncharted, life chapters. "We're worthy to try for it's in the journey that hidden surprises of a lifetime pop up waiting to celebrate our lives." -Kirby Patton, Kirby Kid Race Founder, CEO

Are YOU the ONE? 

Are YOU a distance-maker? 

Are YOU a difference-maker? 

If yes, RUN to help me go to the BMO Vancouver Marathon 8 K distance on May 4th by your kind donations to Canuck's Place Children's Hospice.

Thank you for running your courageous heart with your kind donations to Vancouver, British Colombia BC Canuck Place Children's Hospice whose children I am running for in the BMO Vancouver Marathon in the 8 km fun run on Sunday, May 4th. As a passionate BCCH Children's Hospital parent, 2008 BCCH Children's Hospital Foundation Vancouver Marathon 42.2 km superhero run ambassator for their new BCCH children's hospital, and a keen BCCH children's hospital and Sunny Hill Heath Centre volunteer, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support to BC Canuck Place Children's Hospice whose teams deliver the utmost, exceptional pediatric, palliative care for  precious children's final days with infinite love.

-Kirby Patton, Dip. Ed. Nons.B.A.BCT.OCT

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Kirby Kid Race Million Reasons Run 2025 Fundraising Video

Wednesday 16th Apr Share

Kirby's Hong Kong MPS Child Love Story and Reason to Run!

Wednesday 16th Apr

My Hong Kong MPS Love Story

What distance would you go for a loved one?

The distance you choose makes ALL the difference!

The distance you go makes a world of difference for a loved one, friend or stranger is what I know for MPS super kids.

Each of us can make a difference by going the distance to simply show up and champion ONE child by 1 donation!

My 2025 BMO Vancouver Marathon 8 K Canada Ambassador Run is for Hong Kong MPS Super Kid’s 20th Anniversary on May 1.

 Your 2025 Kirby Kid Race Challenge!  1 MOVE For $1.00 Donations!  “Champion ONE child by your 1 donation!”                    

It may be hard to imagine that by ONE of us going the distance for another ONE, we make a life-altering difference!

How can we know by going the distance with $1.00 dollar, it makes a world of difference for ONE by our actions?

We can trust a "walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7. This is the precise mindset MPS super kids live by!

Our actions make a difference by faith-filled MOVES for another ONE who sees someone cares to show up for ONE.

Imagine, for a moment, you land on another continent meeting families whose tots, teens, and adult children all have  miniature, physical stature whose loving demeanor transports you into an unfamiliar, colorful world that is reminiscent of feeling you’ve entered the musical film The Wizard of Oz where Dorothy clicks her mystical, red, ruby slippers 3 x.

Such is my real-life, magical adventure tale that took me from Canada for meeting sweet Hong Kong MPS warriors. 

My heart dashed ahead of my stride as I walked through the door of the recreation center where precious children and families of the Hong Kong MPS Group came into view who I offered educational activities to in my volunteerism.

In an instant, my heart melted and my eyes tearfully flooded as I was gently greeted by a roomful of families whose children’s bright smiles are etched on my heart to this day! My MPS Love Story is about Hong Kong’s brave MPS

children and families whose lives are consumed by HOPE as MPS children battle to outrun rare genetic diseases.

I’ll go the 8 K distance on May 4 for their MPS 20th anniversary on May 1st to honor each worthy child’s miracles!

HKMPS super kids are real-life, ultramarathon, medal winners with giant dreams who are genuinely mesmerizing!

May 4, I'll step into my favorite Mizuno runners in my passionate role as a Boston marathoner, 100 K Oxfam ultramarathoner and fun run fundraising ambassador to celebrate the victories of inspirational MPS children and families!

The distance each one of us goes for another ONE makes ALL the difference no matter how far the distance traveled because it’s by showing up that we mark the start of another one’s visibility to matter by our compassionate care.

Hong Kong’s honorable MPS Group tots, teens, adults, and their families, who I adore and admire over 18 years, are lionhearted champions some of whom LOVE 2 Run measurable, marathon fun run distances who are half my size!

Each ONE! Each life. Each child. Each teen. Each family. Each community member is ONE valiant distance-maker!

“A Win by ONE thriving MPS soul makes 1 significant difference to empower WINS for ALL sporting global smiles.”

Canada's nation's largest BMO Vancouver international marathon, 1.2 marathon and 8K sold out long ago by a world of “distance-makers” who will walk, wheel, run and cheer on people from all nations for each living ONE’s best life!

Each walker, wheeler, runner and supporter is ONE who is going the distance for their own reason for global impact as goodwill ambassadors for a world of children, families & people to celebrate each ONE’s impact helping us ALL.                           

In my privileged 18 year rapport with enchanting HKMPS children and families who are a beacon of peace to people in all corners of the world, my message is, "an international workout is external beauty, run with heart!”- Kirby Patton.

My commitment May 4 is to walk-run 8 K honoring MPS super kids yet speed’s not part of my 8 K marathon mission. 

My invitation to YOU is to extend your helping hand as ONE distance-maker making 1 difference matter by joining me to celebrate our world’s radiant MPS superheroes by your move to “Champion ONE child by $1.00 donations!”

It’s a lifetime privilege to step out on behalf of Hong Kong’s beloved MPS super kids and families for a first time in Canada for a 20th anniversary tribute to them all and celebrate their 2025 MPS anniversary feats and living legacy!

“Nations of BMO Vancouver marathoners and fun run athletes are distance-makers; ONES who live out their dreams by the imprint of their soul's footprints!”-Kirby Patton.OPRAH, in her wisdom is life’s silver lining who reminds us of our BIG picture! 1 life is marked by 1 GIANT reason to go the distance! Helping out shows ALL, each ONE counts!

How about jumping into “fun fitness!” Join my 2025 Kirby Kid Race Challenge for making your 1 MOVE For ONE Donation count by funding fearless MPS kids in your kind Kirby Kid Race 1$ donations for my MPS 8 K distance! 

Guess what experience fills me up to an unimaginable NEXT-LEVEL soul-opening state?Your 1 MOVE for MPS kids!

Go walk, wheel and run your local or international marathon fun run distance! You may start to feel in your family fun run experience an inner power, if you feel the way I do, for helping move mountains for yourself and another ONE!

It's pivotal to what motivates me to return to the “ZONE” of the BMO Vancouver International Marathon in the city where I ran my 1st fun run pushing my wheelchair-bound superhero Vancouver’s Sun Run 10 K distance in 1999.

As a Boston International Marathoner late bloomer, in my 40’s, how I wish my childhood was laced with marathon family fun runs for enjoying great health/quality family time/new friends through meaningful philanthropic footwork!

When I laid my eyes upon Hong Kong’s MPS children's hospital’s youngest newborn patient, merely weeks old, I was committed to help RUN 2 Fund her non-government funded, life-saving medication to give HOPE to 1 MPS life.

Dec. 2, 2007, I ran the Macau international marathon for ONE unstoppable MPS INFANT and again, Dec. 2, 2012.

ONE, fearless, sensational Hong Kong MPS super baby ambassador is now 18 years old! Hong Kong Ling Liang Church Kindergarten's school community’s 2012 wheelchair fundraiser shows 1 Bold MOVE in their LOVE 2 Fund ONE 6 year old MPS girl’s dream come true! Her medal result is owning her 1st wheelchair in her favorite color pink!

Let’s be "2025 distance-makers” together! Thank you for your 1 MOVE for $1.00 DONATIONS for MPS super kids!

MPS children’s supernatural strength to fight adversity with indomitable courage is an awestruck, child phenomenon!

Kind-hearted HKMPS children and families overcome each heart-wrenching challenge who lead us ALL, by example!

A daunting daily distance by HKMPS super kids is a daily race against the clock to survive and outrun their disease!

Will you go the distance to“RUN your heartbeats?"Let’s MOVE  as 1 human race who “LOVE 2 Fund” kids 1 by 1.”

Thank you for your generous donations to mark the MPS children’s strides on their 20th anniversary celebration!

As you “Champion ONE child by your 1 donation,” MPS children’s lives link us ALL by heartbeats and heartstrings!

Thank you for your support to Hong Kong’s heroic MPS children & families of rare Mucopolysaccharidosis disease!

20th anniversary congratulations to Hong Kong MPS superheroes on your miraculous 2025 ambassador milestone.

With love, prayers and gratitude for our world’s “distance-makers!”

Kirby Elizabeth Patton, Dip. Ed. Hons. B.A. OCT. BCT.   “Where there is life, there is movement.” - Kirby Patton

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