On Saturday, January 12th, more than 200 people were in attendance for the first-ever Kickstart Kids Walk, Run, Kick 4.5k Charity Run presented by H-E-B Tournament of Champions. Guests braved heavy winds and chilly weather to help support Kickstart Kids. The character education karate program is currently in 9 schools in the Central Texas area and has impacted more than 95,000 students over 26 years. 

Students from Park Crest Middle School performed an amazing karate demonstration for the guests.
On hand for the festivities was H-E-B’s mascot “Buddy” who visited with children and hyped up participants. Xavier Vasquez, H-E-B’s Pflugerville Unit Director, spoke to the crowd about the companies presenting sponsorship of the event. Additional sponsors were Baylor Scott & White, Brohn Homes, CForce, Windsor Park Trailer Rentals, Windermere Utility Company, Inc. 

Members from campGladiator, a local Pflugerville fitness camp, helped warm up the crowd before the starting horn. Runners were comprised of seasoned runners, students, parents, supporters, and even dogs.

Race winners were Ed Sannwaldt in 1st Place, Krishna Kibambi in 2nd Place, who was part of a group of high school friends that flew in for the special event, Nick Orr in 3rd Place, and Jacquie Helmcamp as 1st Place Female Winner.

Riley, the Karate Dog, won the Canine Costume Contest. Students from Dessau Middle School and Kelly Lane Middle School received a trophy for the fundraising efforts at the event. In total, the charity run was able to raise more than $28,000 in funds for the non-profit organization and helped raise awareness of teaching character through karate to the local community.

A huge thank you to all of our sponsors, in-kind donors, volunteers, guests, and participants!

Presenting Sponsor: H-E-B Tournament of Champions

Race Sponsors: 

• Baylor Scott & White Health
• Brohn Homes
• CForce
• Windermere Utility Company, Inc.
• Windsor Park Trailer Rentals

In-Kind Sponsors:

• 24 Hour Fitness
  
• The Alamo 
  
• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
  
• Amazing Lash Studio
  
• Amy’s Ice Cream 
  
• Andy’s Frozen Custard 
  
• Animal World and Snack Farm Zoo
  
• Austin Zoo
  
• The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum /The Texas Ranger Museum
  
• campGladiator
  
• Capital Cruises
  
• Capitol City Comedy Club 
  
• The Cheesecake Factory
  
• Chick-fil-A Pflugerville
  
• CONSUELA
  
• Einstein Bros. Bagels
  
• The Escape Game - Austin
  
• Fleet Feet Round Rock
  
• Forest Creek Golf Club
  
• Inner Space Cavern
  
• K & N Management 
  
• Kendra Scott
  
• Kerbey Lane Café
  
• Landry’s  
• Lilly Pulitzer
• The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment 
• Natural Bridge Caverns
• NLand Surf Park
• Painting with a Twist Round Rock
• Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza
• Phillips Entertainment Inc
• Pluckers Wing Bar
• Raising Cane's
• Reduce Your Pain Massage Therapy 
• Round Rock Express
• San Antonio Zoo
• Sea World San Antonio 
• Six Flags Fiesta Texas 
• Spare Time Texas Pflugerville
• Splashtown San Antonio 
• Texas Stars
• Texas State Railroad
• Thinkery
• Tiff's Treats - Round Rock
• Tomlinson’s
• Typhoon Texas 
• The Westin Austin at The Domain 
• Wonder World Park