On Saturday, April 2, Lee University will host the 16th annual Great Strides walk and the 14th annual 65 Roses 5k. These events are held every year to raise money to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a chronic disease affecting the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide).

“The Cleveland community never fails to amaze us in their support and involvement with this cause,” said Dr. Bill Estes, director of the 5k race. “We are gearing up for yet another great event this year, and we’re looking forward to making great strides in finding a cure for CF. A lot of progress has been made in the past 16 years, and we are proud of our small part in it.”

Festivities will begin Friday, April 1 at 6 p.m. in the Science and Math Complex Great Room with a pasta dinner and an early packet pick-up. Events on Saturday are sponsored by Ralph Buckner Funeral Home & Crematory, with the run registration beginning at 7 a.m. and the race beginning at 8:30. A 1-kilometer Fun Run will occur at 9:15. Walk registration begins at 9, with warm-up at 9:50 and the walk at 10.

The 5k course will begin and end at the Paul Conn Student Union on Lee University’s campus. It is a certified course that will wind through the Cleveland Historic District and Main Street Cleveland.

The cost of the race is $30 before March 31 and $35 on race day. Checks can be made payable to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Awards will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male and female runners in 12 different age divisions. CrossFit Gryphon is partnering with Great Strides by designating a charity work-out of the day (WOD) starting at noon. Swag this year will include BPA-free Nalgene water bottles and cotton T-shirts.

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 to 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 perfect the drugs available to those living with CF.

For more information or to register for the event, visit 65 Roses 5K and Walk. For further questions, contact Estes at (423) 614-8479 or at [email protected].