The sixth annual Frozen 5k and 1-mile walk is quickly approaching, with a Jan. 24 deadline for preregistration.
Started by high school student Johanna Gartman six years ago, the event is now organized by Signal Mountain Bible Church, said Johanna’s father, Tracy Gartman.
The race and walk start at the church Saturday, Feb. 1 at 9 a.m.
“It’s giving people a chance to participate in something fun while at the same time supporting people who are obviously less fortunate than us,” Gartman said of the event.
The Frozen 5k for Haiti raises funds for a youth conference that serves as an alternative to the country’s Carnival event, which Gartman describes as a “drunken festival.” Conference attendees are taught life skills such as how to prevent disease and create a budget, he said. Leftover funds are used for medical supplies, Gartman added.
He said the Frozen 5k typically raises around $7,000-$8,000.
Gartman’s daughter started the race to help Haiti while at the same time doing something she loves – running, her father said.
The fee for the race is $15 for those who preregister, or $20 on race day.
“Our desire is for this to be a family event, so we tried to keep the prices down so people with two or three kids aren’t paying $500,” said Gartman.
Participants will receive food from 517 Subs after the race. Attendees will also have a chance to win some great door prizes, such as five iPod Shuffles and gift certificates to restaurants, Gartman said.
T-shirts for the event are being supplied by a donation from Physician’s Care, so all registration fees for the event go straight to Haiti, he added.
“We encourage people, even if they don’t want to run, to do the 1-mile walk,” said Gartman. “You can cheer people on when they come back to the finish line.”