For nearly a decade, the Gartman family of North Chattanooga and Signal Mountain Bible Church have been helping raise funds through the Frozen 5k for Haiti to put on an annual Christian-based youth conference in Grand Basin, Haiti.
Started by Johanna Gartman when she was 16 years old, the Frozen 5k is held annually on Shackleford Ridge Road, starting and ending at Signal Mountain Bible Church. The race is always held in the dead of winter – hence the name – and this year’s is set for Feb. 4 at 9 a.m., with registration and race packet pickup from 7:30-8:30 a.m.
The youth conference funded by the race is held during Haitian Carnival, a countrywide party leading up to Mardi Gras, and offers a Christian alternative to the revelry. Conference attendees learn positive life skills and are given food to eat, said Tracy Gartman, Johanna’s father who has been organizing the race since she left for college.
“I’ve been to many races, and what sets this race apart is that it’s a family event, with lots of kids and parents running together,” Tracy Gartman said. “It’s a way to have fun and also support something legitimate.”
The cost to participate in the race is $15 for those who register by Jan. 28, or $20 after that date. So that all funds raised can be directed to Haiti, organizers chose not to offer online registration, but paper registration forms can be printed out from the Signal Mountain Bible Church website at smbible.com.
For more information, email Tracy Gartman at rungartmanrun@gmail.com.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.