Ted McKenney loved cross-country and distance running, but he also loved making sure the athletes were in appropriate footwear.

McKenney, who touched thousands in his role as pastor, director of Solid Rock Bible Camp and running coach, died in June 2020 at 64 due to advanced, aggressive, inoperable brain cancer.

The Tsalteshi Invitational was renamed in honor of McKenney in 2021. Saturday at Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna, 25 schools from across the state are scheduled to run at the meet, with the races starting at noon.

Also in its fourth year is the Coach McKenney Running Fund.

“He liked to make sure that, first of all, runners had decent running shoes, because that can make or break whether a runner enjoys it or not,” said Val McKenney, Ted’s widow. “Not necessarily whether they’re good or not, but whether they have fun.

“So he started out with his own runners, and for years and years, he would buy shoes for kids who couldn’t afford to, or whose parents didn’t see the point. Then he expanded that to helping kids on other teams. We just wanted to continue that.”

The fund is administered by Solid Rock Ministries, Inc.

“The first year, we hardly told anybody, just because we didn’t know for sure how it was going to work,” McKenney said. “The second year, we pushed it.

“Last year, we pushed it big and had a lot of response. And this year, I’m trying to push it big again.”

McKenney said she is trying to get into the coaches meeting at the Saturday meet to let coaches know about the program, which has given away 35 shoes so far.

“We have enough money to cover the demand, so that’s why I’m hoping to up the demand,” McKenney said.

She said the program is for high-schoolers only and the request for shoes must come through a coach.

Skinny Raven Sports in Anchorage is a partner in the program and discounts are available there, but McKenney said program shoes don’t have to bought at Skinny Raven.

Those wishing to donate to the program, or coaches interested in shoes, can email valmck@solidrockbiblecamp.com.