2003 Run/Walk for Rachel

Our first female to cross the finish line is only 3 minutes behind the overall winner!

©Jacqueline L. Riggs 2003

 

After all the runners were in and re-hydrated, snacks were eaten, and the results tallied, the winners in each category received their medals and a hug from Rachel's mom - to the cheers of the on-lookers.

©Jacqueline L. Riggs 2003

 

We knew this was going to be great race for Rachel and our other missing persons from the time the runners took off from the start line. You could just see it in all the energy that burst forth at the start line.


And...it was.

©Jacqueline L. Riggs 2003

 

Rachel's mom ran for Rachel again this year. No, Janet did not take a medal but when you start at the back of the pack and have the media slowing you down no one expects you to.


©Jacqueline L. Riggs 2003

 

Media

$$ Thousands Raised in Annual Rachel Cooke Run

Hundreds of Central Texans got up to exercise for a good cause Saturday morning: the 2nd Annual Run/Walk for Rachel. New this year: search and rescue, victims- and missing persons groups set up to help spread more awareness than ever before. As runners and walkers raced to the finish line... getting there wasn't the only goal. Participants took strides to help find Rachel by supporting search and rescue groups. Rachel Cooke disappeared on January 10, 2002 while on her daily four mile run near her Georgetown home. Rachel's mom, Janet said, "When this happened to us, we had no idea where to turn." While the Cooke's never give up hope their daughter will return, they've dedicated themselves to helping others. Janet Cooke said, "I'm hoping to keep awareness out there. We have organizations that need people's help to help people like Robert and me, people who have a family member missing." The Run/Walk raised about $5,000 dollars for different search and rescue agencies and support groups.

http://keyetv.com/morenews.shtml

 

Runners raise funds for RAN

Runners raise funds for RAN
5/18/2003 10:39 AM
By: News 8 Austin Staff

A Georgetown community is remembering a woman who disappeared from the area a little more than a year ago.

On Saturday, people took part in the second annual "Run-Walk for Rachel" out at Old Settlers' Park in Round Rock.

Rachel Cooke was an avid runner. She was last seen jogging near her parents Georgetown home.

Missing persons organizations were at the event to talk to the public.

Rachel's father, Robert, said events like this one give hope to families of missing persons.

"It's a wonderful feeling that we still have this much support. It brings a lot of awareness to all the missing person problems we've got through the United States," he said.

All the proceeds from the run go to the Rachel Alert Network, or RAN, www.rachelalert.org/ which supports the families of missing persons.


http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/?ArID=71820

 

Weekend 5K honors Rachel Cooke

05/16/2003

KVUE News

This weekend runners and walkers will gather to remember a missing Georgetown teen.

Rachel Cooke disappeared Jan. 10, 2002 while jogging near her home.


KVUE's interview with Robert Cooke
(video - site requires registration.)


A 5K Run/Walk in her honor will be held Saturday morning.

Packet pick-up and late registration begin at 7 a.m. at the Old Settlers Park cross-country track in Round Rock.

The run/walk begins at 8.

For the $20 registration, everyone attending receives a 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel T-shirt. Outback Steakhouse will provide free food after the event.

All proceeds of this Run/Walk will go to the Rachel Alert Network, which supports the families of missing persons.

For more information about Rachel and the search efforts, log on to www.rachelcookesearch.org.


http://www.kvue.com/news/local/051603kvueRachelrun-eh.251c1800.html

 

One of the announcements made at the Run/Walk for Rachel is that the Music For The Missing Concert results are in and Rachel Alert Network (RAN) has presented checks to Texas EquuSearch and Travis County Search And Rescue in the amount of $3,000 to each organization.

 

kudos to all who participated!

and prayers and angels for Rachel.

you are all to be admired for your hard dedicated work
in the name of the beautiful Rachel!

kudos from a proud hearted kitty,
purr

 

I have a correction to my post on the T-shirt from the Kristen Modafferi Foundation. There are actually 6 pictures on the back of the shirt. The pictures are as follows:

Leah Toby Roberts
Missing: 3/9/00
Circumstances: Unknown. The vehicle she was driving was located on 3/18/00 wrecked on a logging road near Mount Baker, Washington in a federal park.

http://www.nmco.org/gallery/ma/roberts.html

Chandra Ann Levy
Missing: 05/01/01
Remains Located: 05/22/02
Unsolved Homicide

http://www.nmco.org/gallery/homicides/levy-chandra.html


Jason Andrew Knapp
Missing: 04/12/98
Circumstances: Jason was last seen at his apartment in Clemson. His vehicle was found at Table Rock State Park in Pickens, approximately 30 miles from his residence. Despite an extensive search of the park area, Jason has not been located.

http://www.nmco.org/gallery/ma/knapp.html


Kristen Deborah Modafferi
Missing: 06/23/97
Last seen leaving Spinelli's Coffee Shop in San Francisco California.

http://www.modlink.com/kristen/home.htm


Paula Louise Merchant
Missing: 1/03/99
Circumstances: Unknown. Paula left home at approximately 6:30 PM to attend a meeting at a local church. Her vehicle was located on 1/04/99 at 2230 Commerce Dr. in Columbia, SC at approximately 12:00 AM. The car had been burned.

http://www.nmco.org/gallery/ma/merchant.html


Ryan Allen Katcher
Missing: 11/05/00
Circumstances: Unknown. Ryan was last seen at his residence His vehicle is also missing and described as a black 1999 Ford F-150 regular cab, long bed with tinted rear window. Vehicle has personalized license plates, IL Lic# 44 EZ GO

http://www.nmco.org/gallery/ma/katcher-ryan.html

 

Great pics

I'd like to thank JR was taking all of those great pictures of the run/walk. This year's event was a little smaller, but it still turned out wonderful.