Like other soccer coaches across the state Aaron Runko is busy getting his Shore FC Galaxy squad ready for what figures to be a very exciting season. The team is also busy preparing for another event that they hope will bring the soccer community together while also benefitting two worthy causes. 

The first Madison Beggs Kicks 4 Kids Soccer Marathon is set for Oak Glen Park on Sept. 22 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Runko said it was the idea of members of his team to put the event together. One of the players was Jayne McDevitt who was a close friends of Beggs before she lost her almost two year battle with cancer earlier this year. 

He said the team had done other fundraisers back in the spring when Beggs' cancer came back and they wanted to do something to honor her after her death. "When Madison lost the battle I put out the idea why don't we do something in Madison's memory," he said. 

Money raised from the event will be used to benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand as well as the Frances Foundation for Kids Fighting Cancer. All games will be played 7 vs. 7 and there is a $200 registration fee for teams to enter.

Runko said there will also be a gift auction and while it will be a competitive field, the day is about more than just soccer. "We want the kids to go out there and have fun," he said. "Don't worry about winning or losing, just go out and have fun with your friends. Honor Madison and basically celebrate life."

The coach said he was proud that his team wanted to take on such a big challenge especially in the heart of their season. "I was inspired by Jayne and the fact that she wanted to do so much for Madi," he said. 

McDevitt said she was glad to do something to honor her friend who she had been in class with during their fourth and fifth grade at Land O'Pines School. As she gets ready to start 7th grade at Middle School South she said this is an important event that she hopes will be done on an annual basis. "She was very brave," she said. "She taught us to be strong and never give up. Her motto was to take things one day at a time."

More information on playing in the tournament or sponsoring can be found in the attached documents and on the organization's Facebook page.