May is National Military Appreciation Month, and the 11th annual Jacksonville Run For The Warriors will honor the strength and resolve of wounded and fallen service members in family friendly races this weekend.
“Run for the Warriors brings the Jacksonville and base communities together to compete and honor the men and women wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Rebecca Herron, Run For The Warriors race series director, said Wednesday.
The race consists of a half-marathon, 10k, 5k or 1 mile run on a flat, fast course to ensure that it is handicap friendly for all participants. Hand cyclists, recumbent cyclists and those using adaptive equipment are welcome. Participants can run or walk.
All proceeds benefit Hope For The Warriors, a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting service members and their families by funding local programs like Wounded Warriors Battalion, morale trips and other events.
“All races will start at Jacksonville High School stadium, and the course will go through Northwoods. We’re are expecting to raise $100,000 with this race, and have about 1,500 runners,” Herron said. “The money that we raise is from the community supporting itself. ”
Race packet pickup will be today and Friday at the Exchange at Camp Lejeune from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will be another packet pickup at Stevenson Toyota on New Bern Highway from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday.
Discounted registration rates are available for students and military. Registration is free for wounded and gold star families or those that have lost a loved one.
Participants can also register at the event Saturday from 5:30 to 7 a.m.
Parking for the event is at the Onslow Mall, the shopping center at the corner of Henderson Drive and Gum Branch Road across from Jacksonville High School.
For more information, visit hopeforthewarriors.org.
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