Rochester River Run/Walk 5K set for April 21

To raise awareness for organ transplant patients and families at Strong Memorial Hospital, URMC is inviting individuals and teams to participate in the 12th annual Friends of Strong Rochester River Run/Walk 5K, Sunday, April 21, at the Roundhouse Shelter at Genesee Valley Park. The race will begin at 10 a.m.

As more patients receive organs here at Strong Memorial – including heart, liver pancreas and kidney transplants – many need financial assistance, both as they await operations and after transplant. Former patients also make the trip back to Rochester for follow-up care, swelling the ranks of individuals needing help. All money raised through the Rochester River Run/Walk goes to support these transplant patients and families.

In 2012, donations nearly tripled from the previous year to more than $17,000, bringing the overall total to approximately $81,000 since the event began in 2002.

Immediately prior to the race, at 9:30 a.m. local organ transplant recipients, members of donor families, physicians and staff will take part in a brief ceremony recognizing the sacrifices made –and the many challenges facing – donors, recipients and donor families alike. Celebrants will also mark April as Donate Life month.

Transplant Administrator and Rochester River Run Planning Committee member Nancy Metzler said, “Donor families and recipients brave challenges long after transplant, and it’s important to help them as much as possible. The proceeds from the Rochester River Run allow us to provide a little extra assistance, which can make a big difference.”

Online credit card registration is available at signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/90310/SMUCalendar. The fee to walk or run is $25 per person and includes a long-sleeved T-shirt for the first 300 registrants. Registration deadline is noon Friday, April 19. Late registration is available after April 20 – the cost then increases to $30 per person and may include a T-shirt if supplies are available. Race packets must be picked up in person and are available from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 19 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at Medved Running and Walking Outfitters, 3400 Monroe Avenue, Rochester. Registration forms are also available at Friends of Strong. On the day of the event, registration will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Roundhouse Shelter. Children 10 and under are free to run or walk, but do not receive a T-shirt.

Prizes include a pair of round-trip Delta Airlines tickets for the top pledge collector and cash gifts of $100 each for overall top runners. Additional prizes will be awarded to other runners. Tickets for deluxe gift-basket drawings also will be available for purchase at Café 601 at Strong Memorial Hospital and at the event just prior to the race. Café 601 sales are scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on each of the following days: Thursday and Friday, April 11 and 12; and Thursday and Friday, April 18 and 19. Tickets are $2 each, three for $5, seven for $10, or 15 for $20. All drawing and race prizes will be awarded immediately after the event.

The Rochester River Run/Walk 5K course is certified to be accurate by USATF #NY10104KL and computerized racing results will be available.

For more information or to register, visit Sign Me Up or call Friends of Strong at (585) 275-2420.

Matt Ulakovic | 3/14/2013

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