Hundreds Come Out To Be A Part Of The Second Annual Sprint For Gabe 5K

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Hundreds of people were at the junction at Mississippi State on Wednesday to run for a cause and a cure.

Participants came out to be a part of the 2nd annual “Sprint For Gabe 5K.”

The run is put on in memory of Gabe Valentine.

The eight-year-old died last June from a rare genetic tissue disorder known as Epidermolysis Bullosa, or EB.

There’s no cure for the disease.

All of the proceeds raised from the race will go towards the EB Research Partnership to benefit research and development to help find a cure.

“It’s in honor of a really special kid who touched so many lives,” said Alexis Sessions, co-sponsor of the event. “He was an honorary member of several athletic teams on campus, and an honors cadet for the ROTC program, so he touched so many lives and to be able to remember him in this fun way is the coolest thing.”

“This is incredible,” said Alex Hammett, who also helped sponsor the event. “This is like way more than I expected it to be. It’s really crazy and kind of overwhelming at the same time, but we’re really thankful that we did have the turnout that we have and this was able to be so successful.”

Super Gabe was a devoted Bulldog fan, and one of his biggest fans was former MSU and current Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who donated $10,000 to this year’s run.