5K Run/Walk for the Veteran’s Center is November 7th

Veterans Day is coming up on November 11th, but you've got a chance to show your support for those who served, and help the Veteran's Drop-In Center all at the same time. Saturday, November 7th, is the 3rd annual Veterans 5K Run and Walk, with the proceeds benefiting the Veteran's Drop-In Center as they move from their current rented site at 413 N. Court Street to a permanent location at 1539 S. Fourth Street in Rockford.

The Veteran's Drop-In Center had some good news to announce earlier this month:

Thanks to $33,000 from The Home Depot Foundation and dozens of volunteers, the new site will be remodeled to accommodate the center and offer extended hours to serve local veterans.

The remodeling of the new location is expected to be complete on Nov. 7 – the same day the center will hold its third annual run and four days before the nation recognizes the Veterans Day holiday. This year’s event has grown to become a Rockford Roadrunners Circuit Race with more than 400 runners expected to participate. This is also the first year the event has had a major sponsor in Home Depot.

“The run started out two years ago with about 100 runners and has grown to become one of the more popular runs in the fall season for the Rockford area running community,” Veterans 5K Run and Walk Race Director Lois Shores said. “And the timing couldn’t be better this year, with the opening of the new Drop-In Center happening at the same time, there is a lot to celebrate while we honor our vets.”
The center offers a free location for veterans to drop in on weekdays, 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. A dinner is served every evening for the guests, many of which are homeless. The Veterans Drop-In Center offers several other conveniences such as haircuts, a pool table, television and lounge area, and on-site meetings and programs with on-site meetings with VA and Vet Center representatives.

We have lots of 5K and fun runs throughout the year, as Rockford is seemingly as popular with runners as it is with golfers. Race Director Lois Shores points out how this 5K run and walk is unique:

The Veterans 5K Run/Walk has a military theme running throughout the event - from a bugle sounding the start of the race, to winners receiving dog tags instead of standard race medals. Veterans and military members will be in uniform to cheer on the runners, who are all encouraged to wear their red, white and blue for the 3.2 mile hike.

Media members as well as runners are encouraged to join our area vets on Saturday morning for the 5K. The cost to enter the race is $25 in advance and $10 for children 14 and under. Prizes will be awarded for top three male and female runners in 17 different age divisions, and there will also be prizes for the top overall Veterans who compete. There is a discount for Rockford Roadrunners and Rockford Wildcats.

Register online at Veterans 5K Run and Walk Facebook page, or contact race director Lois Shores at 815-289-8386 or lshores@charter.net.
For more information about the drop-in center, visit veteransdropincenter.com or contact Veterans Drop-In Center Director Pat Ambrose at 815-713-8843.