Racers run through downtown Cleveland during the 2016 65 Roses 5k Race at Great Strides.
Arnold girls running the 2016 65 Roses 5K
Great Strides 2016 runners waiting for the starting shot
Lee University and the Cleveland community will host the 15th annual 65 Roses 5K and 17th annual Great Strides walk for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on Saturday, April 1. These events are held to raise awareness and money to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis, a chronic disease affecting the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide).
“This is the 15th year of the road race and to think that the community has continued to support this event for 15 years is humbling,” said Dr. Bill Estes, dean of Lee’s college of education and road race director. “We have seen CF patients’ life expectancy rise dramatically over the past 17 years, and to be a small part in helping developing new drugs and treatments for them is inspirational.”
Last year, the event drew more than 1,000 walkers, runners and volunteers to the festivities. Over $68,000 was raised for CF research.
Festivities will begin Friday, March 31, with early packet pick-up from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Terra Running Company. Saturday morning, the run registration will begin at 7 with the 5K beginning at 8:30 a.m. A 1K Fun Run will take place at 9:15, followed by the road race awards at 9:45 a.m.
Walk registration will open at 9 a.m., with walk warm-ups at 9:50 and the walk beginning at 10.
The USATF certified 5K course will begin and end at the Paul Conn Student Union on Lee University’s campus. The race will wind through the Cleveland Historic District and the downtown area. Panera Bread bagels, fruit, and gallons of water will be available upon finishing.
The swag this year will include a moisture-wicking T-shirt and a “mystery goodie.”
Early registration is $30 until March 31 and $35 on race day. Checks can be made payable to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Awards will be given to the top female and male overall, in addition to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male and female runners in 12 different age divisions. All winners will receive ceramic coffee mugs.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a non-profit donor-supported organization dedicated to attacking cystic fibrosis from every angle. Its focus is to support the development of new drugs to fight the disease, improve the quality of life for those with CF, and ultimately to find a cure. In the last 30 years, the life expectancy of a child with CF has doubled, and research is happening daily to find a cure and perfect the drugs available to those living with CF.
The 65 Roses 5K is presented by Ralph Buckner Funeral Home & Crematory. Other premier level sponsors include Bank of Cleveland, Caldwell Paving & Grading, Center of Cosmetic Dentistry, Paul and Darlia Conn, Crawford’s Pharmacy, Don Ledford Automotive Center, Easy Auto, Ed Jacobs & Associates, First Tennessee Foundation, Garden Plaza at Cleveland, Life Care Center of Cleveland, SouthEast Bank, Southern Heritage Bank, Tennova Healthcare, and TriCon, Inc.
Cleveland Daily Banner, Mix 104.1 FM and East-West Media are serving as media sponsors for the event.
For more information or to register for the event, visit http://www.leeuniversity.edu/cf/, email bestes@leeuniversity.edu, or follow on Facebook at Cleveland Great Strides Walk and 65 Rose 5K.