The Cosumnes Oaks High School community is working together to give back to track coach Mark Taylor, an inspiring mentor who suffered a near-fatal bike accident in November 2023. 

Wolfpack Boosters is partnering with COHS to host a Glow in the Dark 5k Walk/Run on Friday to raise funds for Taylor’s recovery and medical expenses, including the purchase of mobility devices, adaptive fitness equipment, home remodeling and specialized physical therapy.

Taylor has served the Elk Grove Unified School District community for 41 years, working as a track coach since 1983 and as a physical education teacher for 22 years.

Taylor planned to retire at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, but the tragic accident set his plans off-course. He has spent the last three months in the ICU and rehab, undergoing multiple surgeries, and has finally come home to a long, continuous recovery process.

“I’ve known [Coach Taylor] for 30 years, but actually like worked and been closer friends than just acquaintances, I would say the last 12 years – wow,” said Amber Lassetter, a longtime PE teacher and coach at COHS. “He’s improving, he’s getting stronger each day. He’s working hard to do that and learn how to navigate his new reality.”

A 5k is a 3.1 mile course, often going through scenic outdoor settings instead of on a track.

“People are registered for it or they’re gonna sign up that day,” said Lassetter. “We’re running a run/walk route that is throughout the school [campus] and they’re gonna have little stations along the way, like hydration stations or dance stations. [We’ll] just kind of make it a fun interactive type 5K, not like a hardcore go run, you know, ‘run three miles as fast as you can’… That is not the intent. It’s to have fun and be supportive of him.” 

Lasseter said people have asked how they can help Taylor and his family. “And this is a way,” she said. “It gives them an opportunity to feel like they’re helping the Taylor family and helping supporting Mr. Taylor and his road to recovery. So I think it’s a good avenue and way to allow people to feel like they’re contributing to his recovery from his accident.”

Students in leadership helped contribute to the Glow-In-The-Dark 5k, an idea that came from COHS student activities director Lara Henderson. The event will have glow in the dark accessories to light up the night. Taylor’s family members will attend the event.

“Our 5K is really, I think the first one that’s ever been done at CO before,” said Henderson. The accident suffered by Taylor, she said, “has kind of really altered his whole life, and so we wanna be part of supporting one of our teachers.”

Henderson added, “I just think it’s kind of a fun thing, plus it’s a healthy thing and he was a track and field coach, so what better way to kind of celebrate him through something that he loved. It’s just, what a great time to show how strong our Wolf Pack is and to support somebody.”

Asked what Taylor thinks of the event, Lassetter said, “Well, he does not like to have attention brought to himself. So he is obviously thankful, but he’s not, he’s not one that wants the limelight on him… He’s a very humble man. That would be the way to say it. Very humble.”