A year after his birth in 1990, Alex Hoag was diagnosed with Proteus Syndrome(PS). As a young child his family watched helplessly while his bones overgrew and his joints became bent and unmovable. Major surgeries became a part of Alex's life to keep him as mobile as possible. Attending school, going camping, going to the ocean, and taking each day as it came, made his life normal. As a 9-year-old boy in 3rd grade at Vera Scott Elementary in Colorado Springs, Alex enjoyed the noise of a loud Harley Davidson, the beat of a good song, his friends, his family and he especially enjoyed sitting in his wheelchair in the sunshine and spinning in circles. A special gift he brought to the many people whose lives he touched was his wonderful sense of humor and his playful laughter. He never complained about being confined to a wheelchair, or the limitations of his life due to Proteus Syndrome. His strength was amazing and inspirational.

The Proteus Syndrome Foundation is a worldwide support group founded by Alex Hoag's mom in 1991. It supports research to find the cause of and cure for this disease. It also provides family support by helping families unite and by giving grants to families helping them buy much needed medical supplies such as wheelchairs, shoes, hospital beds, etc.

The IAFF Local 5 each year continues to assist with making pancakes for the pancake breakfast that is available to the runners and their families.   If you have questions please visit the website at http://www.alexhoagrun.org/html/raceinfo.htm