By Joseph Knoop
Charity run events have become increasingly common, with the good deed feeling as fulfilling as completing a lengthy run. Now runners and charity enthusiasts can feel like proper superheroes with the Superhero 5K Run/Walk on April 23.
Presented by the Office of the Boone County Prosecutor, all event proceeds will go to the Boone County Child Advocacy Center, which works toward preventing child abuse and unnecessary trauma in subsequent legal proceedings.
All participants, especially children, are encouraged to dress up as their favorite superhero during the event. Participants have the option of participating in a 5K run/walk or a 1K fun run. First, second, and third place winners of each event will receive medals for their efforts. Those who register before the event date are guaranteed a T-shirt.
“In the past, we’ve done memorials for kids. We still want to remember those children, but we also wanted to do something that pulls more kids out, shows that prevention can be positive,” Boone County CAC Executive Director Kassie Frazier said. “We ask them to dress up as their favorite superhero who would save the day, and it’s empowering for kids to become someone like that.”
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. According to Frazier, Boone County is experiencing a sharp rise in child abuse investigations compared to last year. 199 cases were investigated in 2015, while 65 cases have been reported thus far in 2016, only three months in.
The Boone County CAC conducts additional programs, including body safety programs taught at Zionsville schools and others, which saw the program taught to nearly 2,000 children in Boone County. Last year, the center’s Stewards of Children program also taught 150 adult service workers how to identify and prevent child abuse.
SUPERHERO RUN/WALK
When: 9 a.m. start time for the 1K, 10 a.m. start time for the 5K on April 23
Where: 4-H County Fairgrounds, 1300 E 100 S, Lebanon
Cost: $20 for the 1K, $25 for the 5K. Families or teams of four can register for $75. Spirit runner shirts may be purchased for $20.
More info: Register at boonecac.org under “News and Events.” For more, call CAC at 765-484-8410.
