By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
GRAND RAPIDS—As a member of the Otsego High School boys cross country team, sophomore Jackson Mitchell is no stranger when it comes to running 5Ks.
A half marathon, though? That was a bit of a different story.
“He have never run 13.1 miles or anything really close to that before,” said Otsego City Manager Aaron Mitchell, who also happens to be Jackson Mitchell’s dad.
That all changed on Sunday, Oct. 20, as both father and son competed in the half marathon portion of the University of Michigan Health-West Grand Rapids Marathon.
And the pair did so for a good cause, as it was to help raise money to provide clean drinking water to impoverished regions of Africa.
“Those in need are currently drinking water that is downstream from human and animal waste on top of all other toxins or contaminates found in the area,” Aaron Mitchell said. “In many situations, children are walking miles every day to retrieve that water for their families.
“The irony of long walks and runs is not lost on us.”
The Mitchells’ involvement with the program came about through a partnership formed by their church—RedArrow Ministries in Paw Paw—and Team World Vision.
A $50 donation provides one person with clean water by drilling new drinking water wells.
The Mitchells and the rest of the team from RedArrow Ministries raised nearly $20,000 in donations. The entire Team World Vision group brought in nearly $1 million during the Grand Rapids event.
“This is one ministry that our church organizes that you can make a tangible difference for others in need,” Aaron Mitchell said. “It’s hard not to identify how blessed we are to live in West Michigan and knowing there are so many problems in today’s world.
“I think we all can agree that everyone should have clean drinking water. This very small effort can make a life-saving difference for others on the other side of the globe while we attempt to be the hands and feet of Jesus. More feet than hands, in this case.”
Making the experience even more special for Aaron Mitchell was the opportunity to share it with Jackson.
“It was awesome,” Aaron Mitchell said. “Not only because I know that Jackson is physically capable of great things, but also because I know that he has a servant’s heart and enjoys the opportunity to help others.
“I’m hoping that he found a lot of satisfaction in his efforts of raising life-changing funds for people he has and never will meet.”
And despite this being Jackson Mitchell’s first half marathon, he put together a strong performance.
With a time of 1 hour, 40 minutes, Jackson Mitchell, 15, had the second-fastest time in the male 15-19 category. The top time went to 19-year-old Alex VandenBerge from Lowell, who clocked in at 1:27.
Aaron Mitchell finished with a time of 2:18.
“For me, it was hard,” Aaron Mitchell said. “I know Jackson didn’t come in with any expectations. In addition to never running that far, he just wrapped up a season of cross country with his Allegan County Meet two days prior. So, I was thinking he may be a little sore to start.
“Nope. He crushed it. I’m hoping he runs again next year and, with some training, I feel like he could make a run at the top spot in his age group”
While the race is done, there is still time to donate to the cause of bringing clean drinking water to Africa. Anyone interested in doing so can find more information at www.teamworldvision.org.
