Few running races in the Mid-South feature a "Stroller Division" but this weekend's Forrest Spence 5K is all about helping families with young children.

Among the regular road runners who show up for 5Ks across the Mid-South nearly every weekend, you may see more sleep deprived young parents than usual trying to rally their little troops for this special event. That's because the Forrest Spence 5K was founded by young parents - Brittany and David Spence - as a means of honoring their beloved first child.

Forrest was born on September 10, 2007, but shortly after birth developed complications and was rushed to the PICU at LeBonheur Children's Hospital where, according to his fund's website, Forrest fought valliantly for 55 days.

Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach Lionel Hollins invites you to join him at Winchester Bowl Saturday, August 20 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. for his "Bowling for Backpacks" program.

You're invited to bowl as individuals or a team. The cost is $75 per person or $300 per team.

The proceeds will benefit under-priviledged children in the Memphis community. You're also welcome to just sit back and watch the action, but please bring school supplies with you.

The event is hosted by Downtown Jackson Brown of Soul Classics 103.5.

Photo courtesy Flickr user Manisha B.

Memphis and Kabul, Afghanistan are a world apart. But they'll be united in spirit this Independence Day weekend as American runners in both places will go through their paces for the benefit of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Two hundred U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines on duty in Kabul will run a "shadow race" in conjunction with the 2011 Firecracker 5k for St. Jude in East Memphis. The Memphis event kicks off at seven o'clock Sunday evening, July 3 with an expected crowd of more than 2,000.