MCVET's 20th Annual 5K/10K through Downtown Baltimore Scheduled for May 24

BALTIMORE – The Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training, Inc. (MCVET) will hold its 20th Annual 5K/10K event, Sunday, May 24, to benefit homeless veterans and other veterans in need.

Rain or shine, over 1,000 runners are expected to gather for the races, which start and end at War Memorial Plaza in front of City Hall. On-site registration will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m. at the Lexington Street entrance to the War Memorial Building.

Race Day
Following warm-up exercises conducted by Back on My Feet (BoMF) Baltimore, the 5K race takes off at 7:30, followed by the 10K at 8:30.

Both are open, amateur races with IPICO Sport Tag Chip timing by provided by Charm City Run Events. Runners will travel on flat and relatively fast USAT&F-certified and sanctioned courses through the heart of the city, down Light Street, through the historic Inner Harbor area to Federal Hill, Locust Point and back.

Following the races, everyone can enjoy refreshments, music, door prize drawings, additional entertainment and vendor tables throughout the plaza. A brief ceremony will feature remarks by Designated Race Marshals, George W. Owings III (Secretary, Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs) and Ginger Miller (Founder & CEO of the Women Veterans Interactive); a performance of the National Anthem by the MCVET Message of Hope Choir, and the presentation of cash awards and age group awards, medals and trophies.

MCVET students and residents will distribute water and assist in the day’s logistics. Additionally, several MCVET alumni will volunteer or run in the races as a way to give back to the organization that helped in their darkest hour.

“We are honored to reach the 20-year milestone for our 5K/10K event, which is a wonderful way for the community to rally and show their support for thousands of homeless veterans and their families who truly deserve our help,” said MCVET Executive Director Jeffery L. Kendrick.

Event proceeds will help MCVET continue to provide comprehensive services that will enable veterans to rejoin their communities as productive citizens.

Registration
Registration, which includes a race bag and shirt for all runners, is $25 in advance/$30 on race day for the 5K and $30 in advance/$35 on race day for the 10K with checks made payable to “MCVET.” For online registration go to bit.ly/1KXMUe2 or www.charmcityrun.com, or call Event Coordinator, Kelly Dees, at 410-308-1870.

Pre-registration and packet pick-up also is available at Charm City Run (Downtown Baltimore and Timonium), Feet First Sports (Columbia), Fleet Feet Sports (Pikesville), Falls Road Runner Sports (Mt. Washington) and Road Runner Sports (Elkridge).

Sponsorships
To date, major event sponsors include The American Legion, Carefirst BlueCross BlueShield, Ciena, Enterprise Foundation, Intelligent Decisions, Lieberman and Mark and PSA Insurance & Financial Services. Additional sponsorships are still available. To learn more about MCVET, event sponsorships and volunteer opportunities, visit www.mcvet.org, call Race Director Roseline Taylor at 410-576-9626 x 253 or email rtaylor@mcvet.org.

About MCVET
The Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 organization established in 1993. Using a “Veterans Helping Veterans” philosophy, it has provided services to 8,000+ homeless male and female veterans since 2000, giving them the resources and support they desperately needed to break out of the devastating cycle of homelessness, addiction and unemployment.