Run For The Brave: Popular Plainfield 5K Returns with New Name

For the sixth year, a pre-Memorial Day 5K run/walk to benefit wounded servicemen and women will return to Plainfield. And this year, it has a new name.

The 5K Run For The Brave will step off at Plainfield North High School, 12005 248th Ave., at 8 am. Saturday, May 27.

Set for the Saturday before Memorial Day, the event is hosted by Operation Welcome You Home, a Naperville non-profit known for staging welcomes for servicemen and women returning from overseas duty.

According to Operation Welcome You Home founder Donna Morsovillo:

Funds raised thru previous 5Ks enabled us to give riding lawn mower(s) to those who have lost limbs/can't walk the length of the lawn, giving them the chance to help take care of their house, ActionTracker Mobile Wheelchair(s) to once again help lead a more normal life, airfare for parents to visit their son/daughter at Bethesda recuperating/rehabbing from their wounds, sponsor healing garden at shelter for veterans complete with outdoor furniture, sponsor a day of fun and shopping for female veterans for new outdoor winter apparel, sometimes food or to help with burial expenses and many other ways

Online registration is under way now. Now through April 15, online registration fees are:

• Adults (11 and older): $35
• Children (10 and younger) :$25

After April 15, registration fees increase by $5. Race-day registration is set for 6:30 to 7:30 am. May 27 at Plainfield North and is cash only.

Wounded veterans should call 630-341-1222 or email RunForTheBrave@welcomeyouhome.org to register.

All participants who register by April 30 are guaranteed a 5K Run For The Brave race T-shirt. At registration, participants can choose the in honor of/in memory of option to add the name of a veteran or veterans to all race shirts for $25 per name. Additional shirts can also be ordered for $25 each.

From 2012 to 2016, the run was known as the Wounded Warrior 5K Run/Walk. The event is not affiliated with the Wounded Warrior Project, and the name was changed to avoid confusion, organizers said.

There are also sponsorship opportunities for Run For The Brave. To become a race sponsor, individuals or businesses should contact Race Director Judi Stapleton at 630-341-1222 or email RunForTheBrave@welcomeyouhome.org.