On December 13, 2003, a marathon runner celebrated his upcoming 60th birthday and raised donations for education in Vietnam by running the ultra marathon, a tortuous 50-mile run! Jackie H. "Jack" Hardison, of Spring, Texas, retired in 2000 from his career in international energy services and went to work for the YMCA. Jack is a Vietnam military veteran having served in the Mekong Delta with the U.S. Army in 1968 and 1969. After returning home, Jack dreamed of returning to Vietnam to help the Vietnamese people and the country rebuild at least part of what was lost as a result of the war and the difficult times that followed.

In 2003, Jack's dream was fulfilled when he traveled back to the Mekong Delta with a joint YMCA International - Sunflower Mission team to build school houses in his old area of operations. During that trip, he met several members of Sunflower Mission and learned about its efforts in improving education in Vietnam. As a result, Jack became a member and has since undertaken a unique fundraising project which Sunflower Mission is promoting

See more related pictures in our Photo Galleries

Jack has been a long distance runner for many years and has participated in several marathons. In December, he will run in his first ultra marathon, a distance of 50 miles, at the Texas Trail Endurance Run in Huntsville State Park. This difficult run is a challenge for any runner-- especially for Jack, since he will be nearing his 60th birthday!

Sunflower Mission members and friends supported Jack and helped bring education to children in Vietnam at the same time. Sponsorship for each complete mile was pledged at many levels as illustrated below:

By race day, $5,100 were pledged. After the race, pledges and donations kept coming, and in the end $6,700 was raised! THANK YOU all for your support.