The annual Flapjack 5k and 1-mile Fun Run on Dec. 13 honored the memory of Kris Keppel, a popular cross-country coach who died earlier this year after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Keppel, who previously directed the race, was described by those who knew him as being a role model who helped to shape the Land O’ Lakes community, not only by running and encouraging people to stay active, but also by staying in touch with God and always helping others. Keppel was known to be a hardworking and caring coach that wanted the best for his runners and his family.
(Taylor Zack/Photo)
“He taught spirit and values, and really cared about people; he was very strong with the Lord,” said Silky Sullivan, a long-time friend of Keppel. “He had an outstanding personality and just loved people. It’s hard to lose a person like him. People like him don’t come around that often.”
Keppel first picked up the hobby of running when he moved down from the North to Florida and became a student of the sport. For the last 22 years, he developed running into something that can keep a community close through a common theme of fitness and family.
“He originally started running as a hobby,” said Meredith Keppel, the late cross-country coach’s daughter. “It was a personal thing that then turned into a professional thing as he became more and more involved with the sport. He believed that every individual could make this sport their own and become a better person with the amount of effort they put into it.”
Hundreds of people came out to the race.
“It’s pretty awesome to see a community come out and support not only my dad, but a love for running, family and togetherness,” Meredith said. “My mom and my sister feel honored that the Land O’ Lakes community is supporting us. My dad would feel very proud and privileged that he has people that continue to come out. I recognize faces of people from 10 to 15 years ago that still come out every year. That continued loyalty, not only to the race, but the Land O’ Lakes community, is pretty awesome.”
Kris used the race to promote fitness to those who were very young and to develop runners who would go on to run track or cross-country. It was just as important to him that it be a family-friendly event that would keep the community up on their feet and active.
“My dad wanted daughters to be able to run with their fathers, and sons to be able to run with their mothers,” Meredith said. “He created a love of life, and it’s cool that it has become a tradition.”
This year, Heidi Pickering, Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce board member, was in charge and reinstated a lot of the same features into this year’s race as Kris had in the past.
“I’m a runner, so I wanted to give a runner’s aspect of how the race is supposed to go, and hopefully mimic a lot of what coach Keppel did and keep his dream alive,” Pickering said. “Essentially, what Kris did for the community was to get the kids active and involved so they start to become part of the community so we can grow together.”
By Taylor Zack
Published December 23, 2015