'Race for a Place to Call Home.' Annual run, walk to benefit Project 16:49

JANESVILLE– The fourth-annual Race for a Place to Call Home 5K and 10K run/walk to benefit Project 16:49 will be held Aug. 17 at Riverside Park in Janesville.

Check-in begins at 6:45 a.m., and the first runners will take off at 7:30 a.m. Walkers will start after all runners are on the course. A one-mile fun run also is available.

The 5K and 10K run options offer professional timing provided by Velocity Multi-Sport &Cycling. Trophies will be awarded to the top three mens and womens finishers in each timed race, along with prizes for the top finishers in each age group category. Participants can register online at runsignup.com

Registration is $35 per person for the 5K and 1 Mile, and $50 for the 10K. Entry fee includes an event t-shirt, finisher medal with a lanyard and swag bag.

Race routes are within the park and along the river on the Ice Age Trail. Race planners say the 5K route is flat and fast, and ideal for those looking to set a new personal record. The 10K course extends beyond the 5K turnaround point. At this time, high water is not impacting the courses.

Project 16:49 Executive Director Tammy DeGarmo says special events such as this generate revenue that is critical to providing basic needs assistance, housing options, and other life-changing support and opportunities to approximately 300 homeless youth each year.

“We are grateful for the outstanding community support that makes events like Race for a Place to Call Home a success, and most importantly, allows us to do the work we do,” DeGarmo in a release.

The event presenting sponsor is Ryan Incorporated Central, with Gold Sponsor McGilvra Electric, Silver Sponsors Stateline Mental Health Services and US Bank, and BronzeSponsors First Community Credit Union, Briggs Realty, Black Bridge Family Dental, Angus-Young, Nowlan Law, Educators Credit Union, Arrowood Law Office, Harris ACE Hardware, and Lloyd’s Plumbing & Heating.

Proceeds support Project 16:49’s mission of empowering Rock County’s unaccompanied homeless youth to take action to achieve their goals.

Project 16:49 is a year-round resource, providing basic needs and other assistance to ensure these youth have access to the services and support they need to complete their high school education and/or increase their self-sufficiency as they transition to adulthood and independent living. The organization also operates two transitional living homes and partners with ECHO to provide youth rapid rehousing.

For questions about the event, contact Sheryl Hooker at runhome1649@gmail.com.

For more information on Project 16:49, contact DeGarmo at (608) 314-5501 or info@project1649.org.

Donations to support local unaccompanied homeless youth can be made online at www.project1649.org/donate or by mail to: Project 16:49, 2911 Carrousel Lane, Janesville, WI 43335.