The Wounded Warrior Project will benefit from a day of road races held on the University of Central Florida’s East Orlando campus on Saturday, May 14.
Runners, walkers and participants in wheelchairs are invited to sign up for 5K and 10K races organized by Operation Giveback (OGB), a new local organization composed of military veterans and their families, Department of Defense civilians and defense industry contractors. There will also be a short Kids Fun Run for children 10 and under. The races, sponsored by Electronic Consulting Services (ECS), will start at 7 a.m.
Proceeds will support servicemen and women who have been injured while serving our country and protecting our freedoms. Through the OGB Outreach program, several wounded warriors are scheduled to attend the races and be honored during event ceremonies.
Both races will be timed, and runners can sign up as individuals or part of men’s, women’s or mixed teams. Awards will be given to the top three overall male and female finishers, age group winners, top teams, and a variety of specialty categories.
The Kids Fun Run will be held after the 10K and 5K races. The cost will be $5, and there are no advance registrations. Participating children will receive a ribbon so they can show their support for wounded servicemen and women.
The cost for the 10K race is $40, and each participant will receive a commemorative technical T-shirt and race coin. The cost for the 5K race is $25, which includes a technical T-shirt. Parking will be free, and food and beverages will be provided free to all participants after the races.
To register for the 10K or 5K race, or for more information, go to www.operation-giveback.com/race-registration. Participants can pick up their race packets on the morning of the event starting at 5:30 a.m. or the day before from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the UCF Student Government Association’s new study office inside the Arena.
Outreach, with donations provided through sponsorship, has allowed OGB to make the event extraordinarily special for wounded warriors across the nation. OGB has been able to sponsor six wounded warriors to come and be honored at the ceremonies before and after the race. There will be two soldiers from Fort Bragg, N.C.; one from Fort Knox, Ky.; and one from Fort Hood, Texas. Two local wounded warriors who reside in Orlando also will be honored. These soldiers and their families will be afforded VIP treatment while they enjoy a fun-filled Orlando vacation. If an organization is interested in sponsoring a wounded warrior, please visit www.operation-giveback.com/OGB-outreach.
Organizers also are seeking volunteers to help on the day of the race. To sign up, send an e-mail to registration@operation-giveback.com with your name, e-mail address and telephone number.
Operation Giveback will support organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project, Iraq Star and Building Homes for Heroes that create jobs, build homes and provide medical care for service members. This year, Wounded Warrior Project was selected as the recipient of donations from the OGB fundraising event. Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville that strives to foster the most successful and well-adjusted generation of wounded warriors in the nation’s history. Go to www.woundedwarriorproject.org for more information.