By AMY JONES / Associate Editor

COLUMBIANA — This year’s Never Ever Give Up Race has its honorees.

Last year, the race honored Shelby County High School graduate Chris Goodwin, who lost a leg after a car accident in February 2012. The race raised more than $2,000 to help with Goodwin’s medical bills.

This year’s race will honor Chelsea resident Tripp Nichols and Calera resident Cayden Atchison.

Event organizer Jane McDaniel said Nichols, who is almost a year old, has many health issues, including blindness and seizures.

“His parents are Jessica and Nick Nichols. The doctors told his mom and dad that he wasn’t expected to live long,” McDaniel said in an email. “Tripp is proving them wrong!”

Atchison, 3, has cerebral palsy. His parents are Stephen and Karen Atchison.

“He is such a fighter and a joy to be around,” McDaniel said of Atchison.

Both honorees attend the Bell Center in Homewood, which specializes in early intervention.

“The money that is raised from the race will be split between both boys,” McDaniel said.

The race’s five-person board of directors chose the honorees.

This year’s race will be June 29 at 8 a.m. — the morning of Columbiana’s annual Liberty Day celebration. The race, which winds through the city of Columbiana, will follow a similar route as last year, although the route may be adjusted slightly due to vendor set-up considerations.

Registration is ongoing, and the cost is $35. To sign up or find information about volunteering, visit Shelbycountynegu.com.