Runners, walkers and families will soon gather for the annual Rexy Run/Walk to raise money for families navigating pediatric cancer.
This year’s honorary Rexy who will benefit from the funds raised is 5-year-old Griffin Scanlon.
The event, hosted by Lawrence nonprofit Baby Jay’s Legacy of Hope, will include 5K and 10K races starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. There will also be a kids’ Dino Dash and Dino Fest after the race.
Baby Jay’s Legacy of Hope provides direct financial support to families during a child’s cancer treatment, helping cover expenses such as gas, groceries or utility bills that insurance doesn’t cover.
“Especially in today’s time, (that) is really helpful,” race director Kristina Selters said. “A lot of times it happens that parents, if they are two-income family households, they have to go down to one income because of treatments that the child has.”
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Selters also said that the organization aims to honor both “warriors” — children currently fighting or who have fought cancer — and “angels,” children who have died.
The organization was founded in honor of Jayden Souter, who died at age 5 after battling an extrarenal Wilms’ tumor. Her parents, Erica and Jason Souter, created the foundation after receiving support from family members during her illness and wanting to help other families facing childhood cancer, Selters said.
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Each year, the “honorary Rexy” receives a portion of the race proceeds directly. The remaining funds support other families served by the nonprofit.
This year’s Rexy, Griffin, has B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and is doing well, Selters said.
“He is a fun-loving kid who loves dinosaurs and just sports in general,” she said.
Griffin will be introduced before the race and will hand out medals with his 2-year-old brother, Murphy, to runners at the finish line. Other families and children who have received help from Baby Jay’s Legacy of Hope will also be in attendance.
“It’s something that parents have said to me is, ‘I hate that I’m a part of this community, but I love the people that I’ve met through this community,’” Selters said. “You never want to be part of this community, but the people within the community are just amazing people that will always be there for you.”
The event is intended to be accessible to runners, walkers, dogs and strollers. The 5K route will wind through the Baker Wetlands. A new 10K route will travel first through the Park Hill Terrace neighborhood and onto Haskell Indian Nations University’s campus before looping back to include part of the 5K course.
The 10K route map can be found here.
Runners will not forget why they are running, Selters said, as both courses have photos of some of the children the organization has helped over the years.
The Dino Dash, starting at 9 a.m., is a short, untimed run geared toward younger children roughly ages 1 to 8. Children can participate with or without registration, Selters said.
Costumed dinosaurs will run with the kids, and all participants will receive dinosaur-themed treats and medals. Age‑group awards for the 5K and 10K are 3D-printed by Jason Souter, Jayden’s father.
Dino Fest will include food trucks and other post-race activities. People who attend the races and Dino Fest are encouraged to park at Broken Arrow Elementary and Billy Mills Middle School to avoid the runners’ route.
Packet pickup is scheduled from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 at Ad Astra Running, 835 Massachusetts St., and beginning at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 at Broken Arrow Park, 2800 Louisiana St.
Registration remains open for the 5K, 10K and virtual participation, though Selters encourages people considering participating to register soon. Those interested can register for the race at this link or donate at this link.
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Courtney Lane (she/her), reporting correspondent, has worked with The Lawrence Times since April 2026. Originally from Arkansas, she’s a graduate of KU’s Journalism school, where she worked as a reporter, opinion section editor, and eventually editor-in-chief for The Kansan.
Read her work for the Times at this link, and see her photography for the Times at this link.
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