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Run Wild 5K & 10K Race

April 23, 2015

Run Wild 10K/5K & Wild Child Fun Run Slated for May 9

Race marks grand opening of orphan care community in Kenya

 

The fourth annual Run Wild 10K/5K & Wild Child Fun Run on May 9 in Huntersville also marks the grand opening of the African Children’s Project’s first orphan care community in Kenya.

 

“This year’s race is truly a celebration for us.” says African Children’s Project Executive Director Melanie Freshour. “As hundreds of runners and walkers join us in Huntersville, our Embu team will be hosting a grand opening celebration there.”

 

The two-story home was completed late last year under the leadership of project manager and missionary Jason Yon. Yon, his wife, Amy, and their two children relocated from Mooresville to Embu in 2013 to establish the African Children’s Project’s orphan care ministry.

 

Freshour shares, “Despite some unexpected delays with the home’s government registration, we have hired a social worker, completed house parent interviews and anticipate welcoming children home in May.”

 

The Run Wild event, which has raised more than $80,000 for this project, returns to the Birkdale Residents’ Club, 8915 Devonshire Drive, on May 9 with a new 10K race beginning at 8 a.m. The 5K run/walk follows at 8:15 a.m., and the one-mile Wild Child fun run/walk at 9:30 a.m.

 

“The generosity of our new and returning sponsors, including platinum sponsors Fleet Feet Sports, Funny Bone Embroidery and Screen Printing, Dream Big Basketball and Bürkert Fluid Systems, continues to make this event a success,” says Freshour.

 

Pre-race day registration continues through May 8 online HERE or at Fleet Feet, 16620 Cranlyn Rd. in Huntersville. Fees include $35 for the 10K, $25 for the 5K and $10 for the one-mile Wild Child Fun Run. Race day registration is also available beginning at 7 a.m. at an additional $5 per entry.

 

The Huntersville-based African Children’s Project, a 501(c)(3) organization operated by volunteers in the Lake Norman area and in Embu, Kenya, provides caring, family-style homes for children orphaned as a direct result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Kenya.