On December 5, 2015, runners from around Lexington donned their ugliest Christmas sweaters and their best moustache to take part in the 2nd annual Stache and Sweater Dash 5K at Spindletop Hall.
The race is the brainchild of Stacey Heisler Williams, who lost her father, Dr. Jules Heisler, to lung cancer in January of this year.
“My father was an avid runner, never smoked and built his career around cancer research and hospital administration,” said Stacey. “He was active, healthy and knowledgeable about cancer prevention, yet he was diagnosed with lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death in Kentucky.”
In an effort to both memorialize her father in a fun and fitting way and to raise needed money and awareness to battle lung cancer in Kentucky, Stacey created the Stache and Sweater Dash. Money raised from entry fees for the event will go toward lung cancer research and prevention initiatives throughout Kentucky.
Sponsors for the event included Tin Can Roasters, Noodles and Company, Steve Woodrum-State Farm agent, Evans Orchard, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Orange Fitness, and Ale 8. Timing and race coordination was handled by Bob Baney, Skip Rafferty and Mat Montgomery of Three-Way Racing, and emcee duties were handled by Sean Moody of WKYT.
Plans are already underway for next year’s installment of this fun and worthwhile event. To learn more about the Stache and Sweater Dash or to get involved as a sponsor or runner, contact Stacey Heisler Williams at Staceyheisler@hotmail.com.