(Posted May 9, 2019)
The 10th annual Rockin’ on the Run is set for 8 a.m. to noon May 18 at St. Patrick School, 226 Elm St., London. The goal is to raise $25,000 to benefit pediatric brain tumor research and hematology/oncology/BMT psychosocial services at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
The entry fee is $30 for adults and children over 2 years old. Each registrant gets a t-shirt, bag of swag and a finishers medal/ Day-of registration and packet pickup begins at 7:30 a.m., the family area opens at 8, the new kids’ loop begins at 8:30 (and is free of charge), and the 5K and new 1-miler start at 9 a.m. The first 500 people to cross the finish line each receive a finisher’s medal.
“We have listened to so many suggestions this year and are so proud to offer our participants new race options. We know so many people want to support our cause but may not be up for the full 3.1-mile challenge. You are able to walk or run the 5K or the 1-miler” said Ashley Winebrenner, vice president of Rockin’ on the Run.
Prior to the race, a representative of Nationwide Children’s Hospital will address the crowd about the importance of pediatric cancer research and fundraising support.
After the race, participants are invited to enjoy two huge inflatables, free carnival games, merchandise vendors, face painting, two caricaturists, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle and additional entertainment.
“Because this is our 10-year anniversary, we wanted to go big, like really, really big!” Winebrenner said. “We have added so many different ways people can support our cause.”
For starters, there’s a new Pie Face booth. Event organizers have selected a handful of community members to sit in the pie chair, and for $1 participants can toss at the target or for $5 they can walk right up and put a pie in their face. A “Fill the Wagon” booth encourages participants to drop their loose change in a wagon on loan from Children’s Hospital.
“We have new merchandise hitting our merch table, including athletic socks and sunglasses. We have a vendor bingo and a duck pond, too. There is so much to do at Rockin’ on the Run, you don’t have to be a runner or a walker to come and support our event,” Winebrenner said.
Proceeds will be donated in honor of Erica Reagyn Semler, Natalie Crum, Kyra Longsdorf, Garrett Stout, Faith Brenly, Carrie Davis, Logan Kinzel, Zachary Samuel and Ryan Antle, children who are fighting brain tumors, and in memory of Nate Elfrink, Violet Baier and Braxton Long, children who lost their courageous battles in February 2010, December 2010, and July 2017, respectively.
Brain tumors are the leading cause of solid tumor death in children under the age of 20 and are the third leading cause of cancer death in young adults between the ages of 20 and 39.
For a registration form or for more information, visit the Rockin’ on the Run Facebook page, log on to rockinontherun.org or send an email to info@rockinontherun.org. To donate raffle or silent auction items, send an email to ashley@rockinontherun.org.
Event organizers are Ashley Winebrenner, Johnda Beathard, Beth Fordyce, Nick Yono, Dodie Winebrenner, Lisa Mittelkamp, Heather Shingler, Emily Mittelkamp, Ann Beathard and Abby Love.
