Staff Writer

 When Nancy Lee Kelley was thinking of way to honor her son, she knew there was no better way than through running and education.

Kelley and her husband, Bob, founded the annual Run for Cash 5K race to fund scholarships in the name of her son, Capt. Christopher Cash. Cash, who served in the North Carolina National Guard, was killed June 24, 2004, in heavy fighting in Baqubah, Iraq. He was 36.

Now in its seventh year, Run for Cash has grown to include runners from across the country. More importantly, Kelley said, it has allowed her to award $16,500 in scholarships to students from Old Orchard Beach High School and Thornton Academy.

This year a scholarship also will go to a graduating senior from Biddeford High School.

Kelley said she decided to found a race in her son’s name to honor his love of both running and education.

“Chris ran before he could walk,” Kelley said. “He was always running around the house. He and his friends would run all around town.”

Kelley said her son joined the track and cross country teams in high school and formed a bond with teammates and coaches that endured even after he left Old Orchard Beach and joined the Army. The high school track was named for him in 2006.

“When he came home on leave, he would drop his suitcase and say ‘Mom, I’ll see you later. I’m off to the high school to see my coaches,’” Kelley said. “He loved this town.”

Cash was an avid runner who competed in half-marathons to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. The week before he died, Cash ran a 10K race in 115-degree heat in Balad Ruz, Iraq.

In an e-mail to his mother, Cash wrote, “My time was terrible, but I got a great T-shirt out of it.”

Kelley said that kind of optimistic attitude was not uncommon for her son. After he finished a road race, he would double back and cheer on the last runners, she said.

“Chris valued education, exercise, hard work and being kind to everyone,” Kelley said. “Chris was a giver. He gave his time and his heart to other folks. He was just a genuine, good person.”

Kelley said she looks forward to the race each year as a day to honor her son and thank the community for its support of her family. This year, Jason Webber of the Old Orchard Beach Recreation Department, will serve as co-director of the race.

Webber said he helped with the second Run for Cash and formed a close bond with  Nancy and Bob Kelley. He said the race is the perfect opportunity to show their patriotism and honor those who died in defense of the country.

“Many people are racing not only for Chris, but for others lost in war,” he said. “It’s much more than just a road race.”

Kelley and Webber said the race is more of a fun family day than a somber occasion.

“This is a joyous occasion. We like to rejoice that we have our freedom,” Webber said. “It’s a fun, happy time. And it’s just plain exciting.”

“It’s become a nice community event for everyone,” Kelley said. “We want it to be a community day, not just a day to come cry about Chris. He wouldn’t want that.”

Volunteers are needed to help with the race and award ceremony. To volunteer, call 934-2360 or 934-0860.