An Illinois State University student who is a Navy veteran plans to run a 50-kilometer race — about 31 miles — next month to raise money for the Homeless Veterans in America Relief Foundation.
Zach Kibler, 25, served as a Culinary Specialist 2nd Class on the USS Arlington and USS Mesa Verde for over five years and is now a junior at Illinois State.
The Homeless Veterans in America Relief Foundation is based in Chicago and led by President Michael Pedroza. It's dedicated to supporting homeless veterans and military personnel transitioning back to civilian life. The foundation provides a range of services to help veterans reintegrate into society after their service. Kibler’s goal is to bring awareness to the struggles these veterans face and to raise funds to support the foundation's efforts.
“I’m just raising money for it, but Michael Pedroza, the president, is really going out in the streets and being that one person bringing them available resources they didn't even know they had. It’s awesome, if we can change a few people’s lives, Michael is out there doing that," Kibler said.
Kibler says he has been sticking to a lengthy training regiment in order to prepare himself for the 50K race.
“I’ve been running for five weeks now. My longest run so far was 18 miles. I’ve got six weeks left. If I can run 18 miles in week five, then I can run 31 in six more,” Kibler said.
Kibler also adds how he will need to be mentally tough during the race. He credits his time with the Navy for giving him a strong mindset.
“I was working constant 12 to 14 hour days every day for a month, if I can do that for a month I can run for six hours in one day,” Kibler said.
Kibler hopes to encourage people to support veterans every day of the year. He feels that the veterans are not given enough credit and are not celebrated enough.
“Instead of celebrating veterans one day, how about year round we support our veterans? Instead of making it a one day thing, we need to constantly give appreciation to the people that voluntarily serve. It’s not like the draft is going on right now. Make it year round,” Kibler said.
Kibler said people can still support his fundraiser without having to donate money, just by spreading the word and raising awareness. Kibler said events such as this will make positive impacts on homeless veterans and their families.
“A lot of people just need to get back on their feet. That's all people need, that extra helping hand that they never had,” Kibler said.
Kibler runs his race on Aug. 17 in Waynesville, Missouri, at the Bad Dawg Ultra 50K. Learn more and donate on Kibler's GoFundMe.
