The Kiwanis Club of Ooltewah-Collegedale is holding its 15th annual Cloud 9 5k Race and Kiddie K Sunday, April 23. This year’s event again benefits the Ooltewah Harrison Education Foundation.
The education foundation, also referred to as D9 because of its efforts to support the five public elementary schools in Hamilton County’s District 9, was able to purchase iPads for 75 Harrison Elementary School students last year thanks to the proceeds from the 2016 race, said Cloud 9 race co-coordinator Vaughan Choudree.
This year, Choudree said, the local club is hoping for 100 to 150 racers to help other D9 schools.
Cost per runner for those who sign up prior to April 17 is $35 for the 5k, with a discounted price of $135 for teams of four; and $15 for the Kiddie K. Cost will increase $5 after that date for the 5k, but will remain the same for the walk.
“If we can raise as much as possible for D9 … the foundation can get things done,” Choudree said, adding that D9 fits with the Kiwanis International mission to focus on ways to help support children. “That’s what this race is all about.”