Chillicothe students rally behind coach battling ALS with Stadium 2 Stadium 5K

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. - A few things have changed for Dave Kinnen since he was diagnosed with ALS four years ago. He has had to retire from teaching and coaching, he needs a wheelchair to get around and muscle loss in his tongue has slowed his speech.

But one thing that hasn't changed is that Kinnen is determined to live a full life. He volunteers in Chillicothe's elementary schools and is a regular at the town's middle and high school sporting events. 

"It's really inspiring to see how much he's went through," Chillicothe High School senior Cyrsten Lollar said. "His quote that he always tells people is to never give up."

Lollar and other former Kinnen students are taking a leading role organizing the Stadium 2 Stadium 5K Walk and Run in Chillicothe Oct. 20.  It's a fundraiser for ALS research. 

The students know it's too late for research to help their coach. Their goal is to help future ALS victims.

The 5K is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Saturdayt. Walkers and runners will gather at Chillicothe's old high school football stadium and finish up at the new Jerry Litton Memorial Stadium on the north end of the town.

Anyone seeking more information can email stadium2stadium5k@gmail.com