Over 2,900 Students Run Marathon to Support Operation Smile

Over the past several months, more than 2,900 elementary school students from more than 150 schools in Virginia and the U.S. have been participating in the Operation Smile Final Mile, a fitness program designed to teach children the importance of exercise, commitment and helping others. Operation Smile is a worldwide children's medical charity that performs free facial reconstructive surgery to children around the world. The Operation Smile Final Mile helps students keep a running log of their first 25.2 miles, and then they finish their final mile during a sportsfest weekend to complete the equivalent of a 26.2 mile marathon.

This is an inspiration story about how kids are embracing philanthropy and using sports and fitness to make a difference in the lives of children around the world.

In addition to the weekend's festivities, a 4 ½ year old girl from Honduras, who was brought to Hampton Roads to receive free reconstructive surgery from Operation Smile, will also participate. This will be an opportunity for students to see firsthand the impact they can have on children with facial deformities.

The patient, Wendy Maria Gutiérrez from Azacualpa, Honduras, was born with a cleft lip, and will receive surgery on Tuesday, March 23 at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk. Operation Smile CEO and Co-founder Dr. Bill Magee will perform the surgery.

Maria and her parents live in a small village of approximately 2,000 residents in southwestern Honduras and belong to an indigenous community called Lenca, which is the largest indigenous group in Honduras. Her father is a farmer and makes a modest living growing rice, beans, and potatoes. As the family’s only child, they were desperately searching for a way to repair their child’s facial deformity so Wendy could attend school. Through Operation Smile’s World Care Program, she will receive the free surgery that will transform her life forever.