All donations from the race will be made directly to Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association (WWRA). We are honored to be able to help expand their conservation mission.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938 as a wintering area for ducks, geese, and other migratory birds. The 35,000 acre refuge attracts thousands of wintering waterfowl and cranes each year and is home to the endangered whooping crane who first arrived in 2004. The great blue heron is a regular at the refuge, and you will most likely see at least one during your run. 

The Mission
The Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Complex will protect, manage, and, where appropriate, restore native systems of lands and waters to provide habitat for wildlife, fisheries, and plants within northern Alabama for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations of Americans. In addition, the Complex will seek partnerships that promote environmental stewardship on non-refuge lands, foster research opportunities to enhance resource management and restoration efforts in the Lower Tennessee-Cumberland Ecosystem, and protect historical and cultural resources of the Complex. When compatible, wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation will be provided, while promoting the public’s understanding of the purposes of refuges in the Wheeler Complex and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.