Embrace the Pace will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 22 at Liberty Playground, 6363 Selig Blvd., Independence.
The proceeds of the race will go to the city of Independence to purchase additional adapted playground equipment. The remaining proceeds benefit the free Connecting for Kids programs offered at libraries across Cuyahoga and Lorain counties as well as virtually.
Last year’s inaugural event had more than 200 participants and raised $8,000 for Connecting for Kids’ free programming with nearly $900 donated to the city of Independence for new adaptive playground equipment at Liberty Playground.
The event includes top adult male/female runners in each age group (chip-timed) will receive a Fat Head’s growler + a $20 gift card. Also, a kids’ race for participants of all ages and abilities. The kids’ race heats will include categories for children who use wheelchairs, walkers, gait trainers, reciprocating gait orthosis or other mobility aids. The cost to participate in the kids’ race is $15 with a T-shirt or $5 without.There is a $35 registration fee for the 5K and one-mile run/walk/roll events. All 5K and one-mile participants will receive a T-shirt and draw string bag.
To register for the 5K or any of the Embrace the Pace races, list connectingforkids.org/5K. Registration will close on Friday, August 21, with no race day registration. Every registered Embrace the Pace participant will receive a finisher medal and free hot dogs. The event will also feature resource tables and a mobile sensory unit.
Schedule of Events:
9:00 a.m. Start Time: 5K
9:10 a.m. Start Time: One-Mile Run/Walk/Roll
10:00 a.m. Awards Ceremony
10:15 a.m. Kids’ Race heats
10:30 a.m. Hot dogs donated by the Autism Society of Greater Cleveland