PROVO, Utah — BYU track and field hosted the 10th annual Courageous Kids Invitational at the Robison Track and Field Complex on Tuesday night.
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the beloved event resumed in 2022 — providing children with severe medical conditions and their families an opportunity to mingle with BYU athletes and join them in a variety of kid-friendly track and field events.
"This is a great opportunity for us to give back to the community," said BYU director of track and field Ed Eyestone. "While we aim to give these kids courage, they always end up giving our student-athletes courage as well."
Tammy (Kirby) Bowers, a former BYU pole vaulter (2000-02), teamed-up with the Cougar track and field program to found the event in 2011. Bowers and former BYU multi-athlete Marsha Mark (1996-98) have combined to organize Courageous Kids nearly each year since.
"I had a child with a severe heart condition and knew he couldn't be involved in sports in the same way," Bowers said. "So, I reached out to BYU track and field, and decided to come up with this event. We get lots of local sponsors and it's been an amazing experience."
The invitational's 2022 edition was held in honor of Makenzie Madsen, a young heart-transplant recipient who enjoyed attending in the years prior to her passing in 2020 at age 14.
Attendee Cindy Blair and her family have benefitted from Courageous Kids as her daughter and granddaughter have participated.
"It just means so much for the kids to be with the athletes, to feel special and run the events," Blair said. "We appreciate how special they felt as they ran and played."
For BYU athletes like distance runner Aidan Troutner, the Courageous Kids Invitational provides valuable perspective beyond sports.
"Track and field is really important to us, but there are things that are a lot more important," Troutner said. "Being here tonight with these kids teaches us the importance of serving others like Jesus Christ."