10th Annual Freed to Run Event Set for October 3 at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center
The 10th annual Freed to Run event benefiting Jacksonville Area Legal Aid will take place Oct. 3 at a new venue – the Jacksonville Equestrian Center – and the wildly successful fundraiser will once again have a new format. And no, it does not involve horses.
This year, participants will have several options, including a 12-hour test of endurance running or walking for individuals and relay teams, a 6-hour individual run, a 3-hour individual run, a morning 5k, an evening 5k, and a 5k Ultra, which is a 5k on the hour for 10 hours for a total of 50 kilometers.
All events will raise funds for JALA’s Shelter for Elders initiative, which supports housing-related legal services for vulnerable seniors throughout Northeast Florida, and will be organized by event partner Sombrero Running.
“Freed to Run has raised nearly $3 million since 2017 by continually evolving to make it easier for members of the community to participate,” said Gunster Shareholder and Freed to Run founder Mike Freed. “First, it was a six-day marathon series from Tallahassee to Jacksonville, and then we introduced the 24-hour run at the Duval County Courthouse. Now, we are partnering with Sombrero Running for a day of various running contests at a venue that is already set up to host athletic events.”
Participants who are not endurance runners can run or walk as part of a relay team for any amount of time they choose during the 12-Hour event, so they do not have to make a full-day commitment. Runners and walkers will be collecting pledges, while corporate, individual and law firm sponsors will join in helping JALA meet the $225,000 fundraising goal.
Once again, the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund is matching a gift of $25,000 from a single donor, dollar-for-dollar, provided that at least $50,000 can be raised from additional major donors.
“We run out of funding before we run out of seniors who need help,” said JALA President and CEO Jim Kowalski. “That’s why we appreciate Delores Barr Weaver’s support so much. We have brought in $100,000 from major donors for each of the last three years, and we know we can do it again this year.”
The funds enable JALA to protect the rights of seniors facing wrongful evictions and foreclosures, reverse mortgage issues, unsafe living conditions, housing discrimination, scams, and other threats to stable housing. The goal is to help seniors remain safely housed and age in place with dignity.
Donations of any amount are welcome and needed. Supporters can donate in support of individual runners, walkers, or relay teams at www.jaxlegalaid.org/freedtorun.
The cycling event that has been associated with Freed to Run in the past will be held later in the fall, with details to be announced soon.
For more information about the Freed to Run 12-Hour Challenge, contact Dennis Harrison at dennis.harrison@jaxlegalaid.org.
About Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is a nonprofit law firm focused on delivering economic, social, and housing justice to low-income and at-risk individuals and families on the First Coast.
