The Cleveland community runs for CFF at the 2014 65 Roses 5K.
Lee University and the Cleveland community will host the 13th annual 65 Roses 5K and 15th annual Great Strides walk for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on Saturday, March 28. These events are held to raise 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).
Last year, the event drew over 330 walkers representing 33 teams, 680 5K and fun run participants and over 150 volunteers to the downtown festivities. More than $80,000 was raised for CF research.
“Each year those involved with Great Strides are amazed at how the Cleveland community turns out and supports this cause,” Dr. Bill Estes, director of the 5K, said. “We are again preparing to put on the best 5K, 1K, and walk yet. Research is making great strides against CF and we want to help in finding the cure by putting on a great event for Cleveland.”
There will be a pasta dinner for the participants on Friday, March 27, at 6 p.m. in the Science and Math Great Room, along with the early packet pick-up for the race. Early registration is $30 for the race and $12 for the 1K Fun Run. Race day registration will be $35 for the 5K and $15 for the Fun Run.
The events on Saturday are sponsored by Ralph Buckner Funeral Home & Crematory and will begin at 7 a.m. with day-of registrations, followed by the 65 Roses 5K race at 8:30 a.m. The 1K Fun Run, sponsored by Dr. Paul and Darlia Conn, will start at 9:15, followed by the 65 Roses race awards at 9:45.
Registration for the Great Strides Walk will begin at 9 a.m., with warm-up at 9:50, and the walk at 10. This year, CrossFit Gryphon in Cleveland is partnering with the East Tennessee CFF and the Cleveland Great Strides Walk and 65 Roses 5K to support a cure for CF. Starting at noon, they will hold a charity WOD (Work-out of the Day).
This USATF certified course (TN 06041 DJR) starts and ends at the Paul Conn Student Union at Lee University. Water will be provided along the course and fruit, bagels, juices, and drinks will be available upon finish. This is a Chattanooga Track Club sponsored event. The swag this year will be reversible HeadSweats beanies and a cotton shirt for the first 750 finishers.
Awards will be given to the top female and male overall, in addition to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male and female runners in 12 different age divisions.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a nonprofit 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.
For more information, to register, or to join the Facebook page, please visit http://www.leeuniversity.edu/65roses. For more information and to register for WOD, visit www.crossfitgryphon.com. For more information about the CFF, visit www.cff.org.