The third annual Father’s Day 5K Daddy Dash, a charity race for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, will take place Sunday, June 21 at 7 a.m. at Village Park (11700 Pierson Road, Wellington).
This year will mark the third anniversary for the race, which has grown dramatically in its short existence, pulling runners from all over Florida, along with local business support. Sponsors include Wellington Cross Fit, Royal Palm Nissan, Whole Foods Market Wellington, Jason’s Deli, and even the Florida Panthers.
“We are very honored by the support that we have gotten from our local community and the Village of Wellington for our event,” said race founders Sheryl Esquilin and Barbara Matthews. “Over the last two years, we have raised more than $12, 000 to help fund a cure for blood cancers.”
Esquilin and Matthews, along with fellow LLS Team in Training teammate Kelly Zuppke, conceived the race in 2013 as a way to raise additional money for LLS.
“It has grown exponentially since then, and we are looking forward to a record again this year,” Esquilin and Matthews added. “The goal is to make this part of the local running scene’s calendar every June. Together, we will make a difference.”
There will be food trucks and all kinds of activities, with this year’s addition of the Florida Panthers partnership. As in the past two years, the popular Kid’s Run and Diaper Dash will cap off the festivities.
Team in Training is designed to train individuals from the novice to the expert athlete to compete in endurance sports events, such as marathons, century rides and triathlons, in return for fundraising efforts to further the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
For more information about the Father’s Day 5K, e-mail purplechicks2014@gmail.com or register online at www.active.com.
