CINCINNATI -- The Reds will hold their annual 5K and 10K race this Saturday, with proceeds benefiting the Reds Community Fund. It's the 15th year for the event, which raised $150,000 last year.
"The Redlegs Run is sort of our event epicenter," Reds Community Fund Executive Director Charley Frank said. "That's where it all began. We're an unusual sports nonprofit in that we really only do one thing: We do kids' baseball and kids' softball."
Frank points to a number of baseball and softball fields that the Reds Community Fund has helped refurbished over the last 15 years, as well as the showcase for the Fund, the Reds Urban Youth Academy in Roselawn. There, softball and baseball players can hone their skills year-round. Before the Academy was built, most baseball and softball activities in the Tri-State ended with the high school season.
"Field conditions are nice around the academy. We offer high-level instruction throughout the fall," said Herb Riley, an instructor with the Cincinnati RBI Softball Program. "Hitting instruction, fielding instruction, pitching instruction has really turned our program around to become more competitive."
The results are tangible. Northwest High School senior Ashley Carroll says she's been able to work year-round on her softball skills. As a result, Carroll has been offered and has accepted a scholarship to play collegiately at Case Western Reserve.
"It just really took my game to the next level," Carroll said. "For example, my batting stats have gone up in the last two years."
Theannual Redlegs Run will have both 10K and 5K races, as well as a 1-mile family walk and a kids' fun run with mascot Gapper.
You can register Friday and Saturday:
• Friday, May 13: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - outside GABP & Reds HOF near the Johnny Bench Statue
• Saturday, May 14 (race morning): starting at 6 a.m. – GABP Dock #3 by Pete Rose Way.
The entry fee for the 10K race is $50; the 5K entry fee is $32. The 1-mile family walk is $26, and the Gapper Kids Fun Run is $16 and limited to children 10 years of age and under.
All participants will receive a custom race medal and race T-shirt, post-race party and one View Level ticket for the Reds vs. Cleveland Indians game on Wednesday, May 18 at 7:10 p.m.
Event start times:
• 8:00 a.m.: 5K and 10K
• 9:30 a.m.: One Mile Family Run/Walk
• 10:15 a.m.: Gapper’s Kids Fun Run
