Ponseti races raise awareness, funds for clubfoot research

One out of every one thousand infants will have this congenital deformity, clubfoot.  Saturday, hundreds participated in a fundraiser event featuring a 5k run, children's race, live music and prizes all to raise awareness and funds.  The Ponseti Races honor a famed physician and offer support for families affected by the deformity.

“It's a good day and a good cause and we don't care if we win,” said runner Jenna Britton.

Hundreds pounded the pavement so that more people can learn about one of the most common birth defects.

“Like a golf club the leg is straight and the foot is pointed in,” said mother Dawn Francesconi.

Dawn Francesconi knows all about the deformity her five year old daughter Sophia had.  But she didn't find out about it until birth.

“I was crying because I didn't know,” said Francesconi.

It's a common reaction because many don't know about clubfoot.  Trista Thompson is a living example of the deformity.

“Play on the playground,” said Trista Thompson who has clubfoot, “I haven't done it for a long time.  “

Trista will get her cast off on Monday.  But more physical therapy is ahead.  It's a treatment plan mastered by famed University of Iowa Physician Dr. Ignacio Ponseti who passed away last year.    Not only are the races named after him, but his work lives on in the kids he cured.

“This was my son who's feet were so curled up the soles of his feet were touching his belly,” said mother Sarah Youngman.

Now four year old Jack, Sophia and countless other kids  can just be kids.

“Racing so one day these kids can run,” said race volunteer Bill Davies.

All proceeds go towards the treatment and care of children and clubfoot research.  Dr. Ponseti died last year at the age of 95 in Iowa City.