Inaugural H.E.R.O. June 4 benefits veteran scholarships at UofL

A new run/walk event is set for June 4 to benefit veterans and their dependents at UofL.

The inaugural 5K Louisville H.E.R.O. – Honor Earned. Remembrance Owed. – Run/Walk/Ruck will honor military personnel who have died while serving and those who died because they have borne the battle, said Jason Beare, race organizer and research manager with the University of Louisville’s Cardiovascular Innovation Institute.

The family-friendly event welcomes participants of all fitness levels, ages and abilities and will be held at UofL’s Track and Field Stadium, 2125 S. Floyd St.

Proceeds will benefit the newly established UofL Veteran and Dependent Scholarship Fund, as well as Veterans Club Inc. The 5K route will leave the track and field stadium, take participants through the University of Louisville campus and finish on the track. There also are options for participants to take part in virtual runs on the website.

All races begin at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, June 4. Advance registration is available on the race website. Packet pick-up will be held Friday, June 3, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Mission BBQ, 4607 Shelbyville Road, and from 7:30-8:30 a.m. on race day at Cardinal Park, located adjacent to the track stadium.

Cost is $20 for all active military and veteran personnel and $25 for all others. Children 12 and under can race free of charge in the 100-meter Kids Run.

All finishers will receive a commemorative coin. The top male and female age-group finisher also will receive an award. The age categories are 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 and over.