What began as a group of local parents’ commitment to health and fitness for their families and peers 10 years ago has grown into a local nonprofit committed to helping its community thrive.

For The Love of Go, a Hays County area nonprofit organization, is on a mission to “get people off the couch” by organizing, directing and promoting healthy activities such as 5Ks and walk/run groups.

“What we set out to do was create an event where people could come and participate and feel safe and maybe that would get them excited about doing fitness,” Jennifer Crosby, one of the founders of For The Love of Go said.

How it started

In mid-2008, Crosby and her husband, Todd, decided to start eating consciously and exercising consistently. Their son Jacob, who is now in college, would tag along for the journey.


“The way we originally did that was to sign up for races that we could find in the area once a month and the three of us would go and we would take turns with who would push our son in the stroller and who would run,” Crosby said.

They moved from Lockhart to Kyle when Jacob began attending Negley Elementary School. Crosby joined the school’s PTA because she was interested in helping with its annual 5K and ended up directing the race, the first of many to come.
For The Love of Go began when Jennifer and Todd Crosby decided to eat consciously and exercise consistently in 2008. (Courtesy For The Love of Go)
For The Love of Go began when Jennifer and Todd Crosby decided to eat consciously and exercise consistently in 2008. (Courtesy For The Love of Go)
When it came time to move on to middle school, the PTA parents found ways to keep the community active by volunteering time for other schools’ and organizations’ races, eventually forming For The Love of Go.

Crosby said she was also motivated by a 2013 Hays County Community Health Needs Assessment Report that stated residents wanted more local wellness programs.

“In 2013 we filed with the Secretary of State and then in 2014, we actually filed for 501(c)(3) and got it within a matter of days which to us was God's provision of like ‘Yes, this is what we want you to be doing,’” Crosby said.


The impact

For The Love of Go directs and hosts races in Hays County throughout the year including well-known community runs like Kyle’s Resolution Run as well as races to raise money for local schools and businesses.
For The Love of Go's races raise money for local businesses, organizations and schools. (Courtesy For The Love of Go)
For The Love of Go's races raise money for local businesses, organizations and schools. (Courtesy For The Love of Go)
Crosby said For The Love of Go events are all-inclusive and they ensure they accommodate individuals who may be blind, deaf, in a wheelchair or running with blades.

“We want everyone to come,” she said. “Everyone is welcome. Whether you're a runner, a walker... you're pushing a stroller, you're bringing your dog, you're bringing your grandma, anyone is welcome and there's always a volunteer spot. There's always a spot at the starting line. We just want you to come and be part of a community of people.”

Crosby emphasizes the value of community within For The Love of Go. She said the event participants, volunteers and the organization’s donors and board of directors are what make For The Love of Go successful.


“It is an entire community,” Crosby said. "It's its own little pod of people that are working together for improvement and wellness.”