Annual Run For Warriors

Registration now open for 6^th Annual Run For The Warriors®

Race raises funds, awareness of wounded and fallen service members

JACKSONVILLE, NC, January 26, 2011 – Registration is now open for the 6^th Annual Run For The Warriors® to be held on May 14, 2011.  The run includes a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and 1-mile run/walk and each race begins and ends at the Jacksonville High School stadium. Stevenson Automotive Group returns once again as the Presenting Sponsor for the race.  To register, visit www.r4w2011.kintera.org/Jacksonville.  Funds raised will go to Hope For The Warriors®, a national nonprofit organization that supports wounded U.S. service members, their families, and families of the fallen.

This is the second year the Run For The Warriors® will be held at the Jacksonville High School. Last year’s race had more than 2,400 participants from 13 different North Carolina counties and 21 states.  The first Run For The Warriors® was held aboard the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in May 2006 and was created to welcome service members home after their deployment and to demonstrate to wounded heroes our unwavering support and respect.  Many wounded service members participate in the races making the event an example of sacrifice, strength and courage.

Half marathon competitors will receive a Run For The Warriors® tech shirt and will earn a finisher’s medal at the end of the race.  Participants in the 10K/5K/1-mile run/walk will receive a Run For The Warriors® event shirt.  Awards to the fastest runners in each age category will be given for the half marathon, 10K and 5K.  Early registration pricing is $20 for the 10K, 5K and 1-mile run/walk and $45 for the half marathon.  The last day of early registration is April 15.

A Team Challenge is open to those in the half marathon, 10K or 5K.  The Team Challenge requires at least four people and gives participants the opportunity to raise funds and awareness for the organization while training for their races.  In addition, a Unit Challenge is open for the 10K or 5K races.  Military units are encouraged to run in honor of their unit’s wounded and fallen heroes.

Stevenson Automotive Group has supported and sponsored the Run For The Warriors® since its inception in 2006.  Established in 1983, the group has 17 locations covering Jacksonville, Swansboro, Goldsboro, and Wilmington.  Other sponsors include Onslow County Tourism and the Jacksonville-Onslow Sports Commission. 

“The Stevenson Automotive Group is proud to be a sponsor of the 6^th Annual Run For The Warriors® race,” said Johnny Stevenson, owner of Stevenson Automotive Group.  “There can never be enough care and support shown to those men and women who have stepped up to protect all of us from the many and varied threats to our freedom—often at a high personal cost.  I ask all Americans to remember how important this program is and the positive difference is makes in the lives of our service members.”

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities for the Run For The Warriors®, contact Amanda Leff, 910.382.4940 or amanda@hopeforthewarriors.org.  

The mission of Hope For The Warriors® (www.hopeforthewarriors.org) is to enhance quality of life for U.S. service members and their families nationwide who have been adversely affected by injuries or death in the line of duty. Hope For The Warriors® actively seeks to ensure that the sacrifices of wounded and fallen warriors and their families are never forgotten nor their needs unmet.

Hope For The Warriors® (Federal Tax ID 20-5182295) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity as defined in sections 509(A)(1) and 170(B)(1)(A)(VI) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Combined Federal Campaign, CFC #27800.