Kirby, who works as the Jackson County Early College Liaison when he’s not running, finished the Georgia Death Race for the second time this year, trimming three hours off his 2017 time. Of the more than 280 competitors who started the race, Kirby was among the 130 finishers. 

“With no support, no aid station, nobody handing me water or encouragement, it would be miserable, and I would probably fail,” Kirby said. “The fact that there are all these people out there who don’t even really know you, but you’re connected by this trail, and they’re rooting for you, cheering you on and supporting you in all these different ways — it’s a metaphor for how life is when things get hard.”

The donations he raised along the way will support the SCC Foundation’s Student Emergency Fund, which assists students with crisis-type emergencies that might otherwise prevent them from continuing toward their college degrees. 

To contribute to the fund, visit www.southwesterncc.edu and click on “Give Now” across the top.