Run will benefit student veterans at UofL

Proceeds from the Run With Our Heroes 5K will be used to endow a gift fund for student veterans of UofL and support Seven Counties Services’ behavioral health services to veterans and their families, said Glenn Gittings, UofL's director of special projects.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and the Veterans Community Alliance of Louisville are holding the inaugural Mayor’s Week of Valor next week to coincide with Veterans Day on Tuesday. It features events honoring active duty military, veterans and their families.

The Run With Our Heroes 5K will begin at 8 a.m. It starts and ends on South Floyd Street, across from the site of the old silos.

“We’re hoping for 300 runners,” Gittings said.

The race is a partnership of UofL, the Mayor’s Office and Seven Counties Services, Louisville’s largest provider of behavioral health and developmental services. Previously, UofL hosted the Camo Run to raise funds for student veterans, but Gittings said the collaboration with the city and Seven Counties offered an opportunity to grow the race to have greater impact.

 “The race is now on a grander scale,” he said. “The partnership with the city has streamlined the planning and allowed for a broader reach to the entire Louisville-Fort Knox community.”

The race will begin with a special tribute to veterans and the singing of the national anthem. U.S Army Col. Christopher Wynder, the first UofL Army War College Fellow, and other veterans will lead the pack at the start of the race. The run will go through Belknap Campus and UofL ROTC cadets will be placed throughout the course to direct runners.

After the last runner has crossed the finish line, UofL ROTC will retire the colors and the Week of Valor will conclude.

 “This is extremely important to UofL and the city. This race gives us the chance to give back to veterans through services, programs and student veteran initiatives,” Gittings said.

Registration is $35 for the public, $25 for active soldiers and veterans and $10 for children. Registration is also available the day of the race for $40. UofL students/staff/faculty can use promo code CARDS15 to receive at $15 discount when they register.