TYLER SCOTT GOLDBERG SUNSET WALK/RUN MEMORIALIZES WESTON TEEN

It has been seven months, since Weston’s Tyler Goldberg, 14, died as a result of injuries he sustained when his personal watercraft hit a dock at Markham Park. 

 

Hundreds will gather in his memory, at 5 p.m., on Sat., Nov. 17, at Markham Park, 16001 West State Road 84, to raise awareness of water safety during the First Annual Tyler Scott Goldberg Sunset 5K Run/Walk.  The event is presented by the Tyler Scott Goldberg Foundation and the Gold Coast Runners. 

 

The race will be on a new certified 3.1 mile course through the park and is for people of all ages and abilities.  Participants’ times will be recorded through a Championship Chip, provided by Split Second Timing.  There will be awards for the top three overall males and females; top Masters male and female; and the top three in each age division.  The fastest male and female racers will win an evening at the Palms Hotel in South Beach.  There will also be a DJ, bounce house, refreshments, raffle prizes and more.

 

Proceeds will benefit the Tyler Scott Goldberg Foundation which, according to its mission, has several goals.  Members of the Foundation are working with government officials to change Florida law, which currently allows 14 year olds to independently operate a personal watercraft.  They believe that is too young.  They are working with the Broward schools to educate students on water safety.  They are also organizing activities, like the race, to raise awareness of water safety in the community.

 

Rose Powers is spearheading the 5K event.  She is a guidance counselor at Gator Run Elementary and has worked with Tyler’s mother, Lee Nossen, a teacher at the school, for the past 15 years.  Powers knew Tyler well, since he spent all of his elementary school years at Gator Run. 

 

Since his death, Powers has been searching for a way to help.  In Sept., she learned that budget cuts forced the cancellation of the Fantasy of Lights 5K Run and Fitness Walk, which took place for the past 12 years during mid-November.  With only two months for planning, she decided to organize the Tyler Scott Goldberg Sunset walk/run in its place.

 

“I wanted to do something that would keep his name alive and raise money for the Foundation,” Powers said.  “We need to enlighten people so that something so tragic never happens again.  The race is a way for everyone to pull together for a common goal.  The entire community can participate, including the children.”

 

In just a short time, Powers organized a committee that is dedicated to making this happen.  They found sponsors, distributed brochures at various races, mapped out the course and much more.  Lee Nossen spoke at the first organizational meeting.

 

“I am blessed that I have such wonderful support from the school, community and friends,” Nossen said..  “There have already been 13 accidents since Tyler’s.  Somehow, we need to make something good out of something so horrible.”

 

Doreen Andjich, a parent at Gator Run, has helped secure sponsors. 

 

“Everyone I approached was eager to help,” Andjich said.  “We live in South Florida, where we are surrounded by water.  It is so important for the community to be educated in water safety.  Accidents can happen in a split second and we need to do whatever we can to prevent them.”  

 

The entry fee for pre-registration is $20 for adults; $15 for youth; and a special family rate of $35, up to 5 people.  The fee for race day registration is $25 for adults and $20 for youth. 

 

For more information, call Gold Coast Runners, 954-474-4074; call Rose Powers, 754-323-5850 or visit www.tylerscottgoldberg.com.  Online registration can be done through noon, on Nov. 16, at www.active.com.

 

Background Information

What:  The first annual Tyler Scott Goldberg Sunset 5K Run/Walk will benefit the Tyler Scott Goldberg Foundation.  It is presented by the Tyler Scott Goldberg Foundation and the Gold Coast Runners. 

Who: Kids and adults; serious runners and novice runners; bring the whole family (special price for families)

When: Saturday, November 17, at 5 p.m.

Where:
Markham Park, 16001 West State Road 84,
Sunrise, FL 33326

 

Tyler Scott Goldberg (1992-2007)

Tyler Scott Goldberg was only 14 years old when he passed away, on April 1, 2007, from injuries sustained form a water craft accident.  He was a good student, a talented athlete, and a well-rounded young man.  He was passionate in his love for his family and his love for sports.   He suffered massive neurological and respiratory injuries when the personal watercraft he was operating crashed into a dock in Markham Park in Sunrise, Florida. 

Despite his courageous fight for life and the heroic efforts of paramedics and the health care providers at Broward General Hospital’s Trauma Center and at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Tyler died two weeks later. 

 

The Race

•         The race will be held on a certified 3.1 mile course in Markham Park.  Runners will receive a chip, provided by Split Second Timing.
•         Race day registration is at 4 p.m.  The 5K Run/Walk starts at 5 p.m. 
•         Awards for Top 3 Overall Male and Female; Top Masters Male and Female; Top 3 in each age division
•         Pre-registration:
•        Checks payable to Tyler Scott Goldberg Foundation. 
•        Checks mailed to: Split Second Timing, 2211 Charleston Street, Weston, FL  33326.  Deadline for mailing is November 13.
•        Online registration through noon, on Nov. 16, at: www.active.com
•         DJ, bounce house, refreshments, awards, raffle prizes
•         Entry Fees: Pre Registration (Adult - $20; Youth - $15; Family, up to 5 people - $35)  Race Day Registration (Adult - $25; Youth - $20)

 

Foundation

The Tyler Scott Goldberg Foundation was established to honor Tyler’s life and memory by protecting children and their families from suffering the types of devastating injuries, loss and pain sustained by Tyler and his family.  It is committed to:

(a) preventing children from suffering injuries arising from the operation of personal watercraft by serving as a vehicle for legislative change, a source of targeted education in our schools, and an advocate for personal watercraft design change,

and

(b) easing the suffering of those whose lives are impacted by the types of traumatic injuries typically associated with personal watercraft accidents through providing financial support for relevant medical research, enabling and expanding the scope and quality of services in trauma centers and pediatric intensive care units, and assisting families in coping with the many difficulties encountered when their child sustains similar injuries. The Foundation was established to honor Tyler’s life and memory by protecting children and their families from suffering the types of  devastating injuries, loss and pain sustained by Tyler and his family.