U.Va. Foundation Hosts 5K Race to Benefit Wounded Warrior Project

February 29, 2012 — The University of Virginia Foundation, with the support of Charlottesville Running Company, will host the second annual "4 the Wounded 5k" race on June 2, in the U.Va. Research Park, located off U.S. Route 29, approximately 1.5 miles north of the Charlottesville Regional Airport. The 5-kilometer, all-terrain race will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, which supports veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The race is open to the public. Register online here. Registration is free for kids age 12 and under. For adults, registration includes a race T-shirt, and costs $25 before April 30, then $30 from May 1 through June 1.

Nearly 900 runners and walkers participated in last year's inaugural event, raising $76,500 for the Wounded Warrior Project, said race organizer Deborah van Eersel, chief of staff and director of marketing at the U.Va. Foundation. This year's fundraising goal is $100,000, she said, and up to 1,500 racers are anticipated.

Race-day events will include a kids' fun run and a post-race exposition of technologies developed by Charlottesville-area companies that support soldier safety.

To aid the transition back to civilian life, the Wounded Warrior Project provides programs and services like counseling, peer mentoring, education and career training, outdoor retreats and family assistance to tens of thousands of soldiers who have been injured in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, many suffering traumatic brain injuries, amputations and severe burns.

Major race sponsors include the ACAC Wellness & Fitness Centers and Wal-Mart. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

The U.Va. Foundation develops research parks as part of its mission to support the University. The parks support regional economic development and provide an important venue for University/industry collaborations and for student business internships. For information, visit the Foundation's website.