News

By Merritt Jenkins

Lee University will host the 2021 65 Roses 5K to raise funds for a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF). The in-person 5K race/walk will take place o n Lee’s campus Saturday, April 17, at 9 a.m. Proceeds from the 5K will benefit the CF Foundation and its Cleveland Great Strides walk, a virtual event this year culminating in a celebration on May 15.

“Although the world slowed down due to the coronavirus pandemic, the need for a cure for all people with cystic fibrosis is as pressing as ever,” said Vanessa Hammond, Cleveland Great Strides co-chair. “We are excited to host an in-person race and walk to raise awareness and funds for CF research and care, and we look forward to a great morning to celebrate progress and encourage those in our community who are impacted by this disease.”

The April 17 event will follow the regular 65 Roses 5K route through downtown Cleveland. All are welcome to run or walk the 5K (or 1K Fun Run). Runners and walkers will receive dri-wicking running shirts and beanies this year for their participation, and chip timing will be provided by Terra Running Company.

The race cost is $25, and event day registration will begin at 7 a.m. The 5K race/walk begins at 9, and the 1K Fun Ru n will take place at 9:30. Race awards will be announced virtually via the Terra Running website, and the 65 Roses 5K fundraising total will be announced via social media later that day. Awards may be picked up at Terra Running Company following the completion of the event.

Participants are encouraged to register online by Thursday, April 15, and to go to early packet pick-up at Terra Running Company from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. on Friday, April 16. Cleveland Coffee & Market is offering everyone a free coffee while they are there to pick up their packets. Although last minute registration will be available Saturday morning, due to COVID-19 safety protocols, runners should register before the Saturday race day if possible.

In order to follow recommended state and local guidelines for social distancing and hygiene, all runners will be placed in a specific corral to allow for proper social distancing. Lee University also asks that all individuals wear a face covering while on campus, though face coverings may be removed once an individual begins running.

Five corrals will be named in honor of local individuals and families affected by cystic fibrosis with their team names for the Cleveland Great Strides. Team names include Getting It Gone for Garrett, Team Nathan, Olivia’s Ohana, Lucas’s Avengers, and Team Holly & Jimmy.

The community is also heavily involved with the 65 Roses 5K. Chick-fil-A will serve as Community Champion Sponsor this year and Regions Bank has donated a green Regions bicycle that will be presented to the 65th runner to cross the finish line. Dos Bros is donating 30% of sales for every purchase on Wednesday, April 14, 3–9 p.m. with mention of “cystic fibrosis” or CF.

“Even though we don’t have the food and fanfare of previous years, we are really excited to get the community back together for this great cause,” said Dr. Bill Estes, race coordinator and dean of the Helen DeVos College of Education. “We appreciate all the community’s support, especially cooperation of the Cleveland Police Department.”

Premier sponsors include Bank of Cleveland, Beaty Fabricating, Inc., Caldwell Paving & Grading, Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, Don Ledford Automotive Center, Crawford’s Pharmacy, Easy Auto, EquiTitle, Inc., First Horizon Foundation, Garden Plaza at Cleveland, GEICO Local Office in Chattanooga, Paul & Darlia Conn, Ralph Buckner Funeral Home & Crematory, SouthEast Bank, and TriCon, Inc. Kilometer Sponsors include Ian Harper, CPA, Pinnacle Bank, Planet Fitness, Regions Bank, and Southern Heritage Bank. Community sponsors include Cleveland Utilities, SmartBank, Tennessee Valley Urology Center, United Community Bank, and Wedgewood Accounting, PLLC. Media Sponsors include Cleveland Daily Banner and Mix 104.1 FM.

The 65 Roses 5K began in 2003 as an opportunity for those interested in doing more than walking at Great Strides, the CF Foundation’s largest national fundraising event. All proceeds from the 65 Roses race will go to support the CF Foundation and Cleveland’s virtual Great Strides.

This event consistently rallies hundreds of community participants and Lee University students to raise money for the Foundation. To date, Great Strides has raised more than $42 million with over 125,000 participants at events all across the nation. The Cleveland event has reached over $1.1 million raised for CF research since the local event’s founding in 2001.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a nonprofit donor-supported organization dedicated to attacking cystic fibrosis from every angle. Its focus is to support the development of new drugs to fight the disease, improve the quality of life for those with CF, and ultimately find a cure. In the last 30 years, the life expectancy of a child with CF has doubled, and research is happening daily to find a cure and develop drugs available to those living with CF.

For more information about the CF Foundation, visit cff.org.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Hammond at [email protected].

For more information or to register for the 65 Roses 5K race, visit www.leeuniversity.edu/cf.