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February 28, 2026
The woodlands marathon
Running has always been a part of our family’s story, but this year it means even more. Jerry Smith is taking on the full marathon at The Woodlands, while Rebecca Nash will join her two boys, ages 8 and 10, in the 5K and then lace up again to run the half marathon on the following weekend. Together, we are running for a cause close to our hearts—the foster youth we serve through Love Heals Youth. These children often sacrifice the joys of childhood, carrying immense pain from abuse, abandonment, constant moves, and broken relationships. By running, we hope to shine a light on their struggles and inspire hope for their futures. We invite you to join us in raising awareness, and if you feel called to sponsor our run, know that 100% of your donation will go directly to Love Heals Youth and the life-changing services we provide.
Jerry Smith
Jerry Smith, 72, has been running since 2008 and has accomplished an incredible milestone of completing 30+ half marathons and 5 full marathons. Beyond his achievements on the course, Jerry serves as the Vice President of the Love Heals Youth Board of Directors, where his servant’s heart helps guide the mission to bring hope and healing to foster youth. He is known for his motto: “Never pass up an opportunity to help someone.” His passion for running is matched only by his dedication to serving others, inspiring everyone around him to live with purpose and compassion.
Rebecca Nash
Rebecca Nash, founder of Love Heals Youth, has been running since 2006 and has completed 28 races. In 2013, she set a remarkable goal and achieved it—running 13 half marathons to complete 13 miles 13 times in 2013. Her determination on the course mirrors her passion off the course, where she pours her heart into serving foster youth and building a legacy of hope and healing through Love Heals Youth.
The boys
Shane, age 10, and Stephen, age 8, are gearing up for their very first race, and they couldn’t be more excited to run in support of Love Heals Youth. Having grown up serving foster youth alongside their family, they’ve developed a deep sense of compassion and generosity. Both boys are proud to give from their own funds to help support the youth we serve, making this race not only a milestone in their running journey but also a heartfelt act of service.