P.O.T.S. Pi Day 5K and 1 Mile Awareness Walk

This fun run/walk will benefit The Dysautonomia Project which is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to educate healthcare professionals, patients and communities about dysautonomia. 

Come join us for this fun event at beautiful lake front Walsingham Park!

   DON'T FORGET TO "SPRING AHEAD" FOR SUNDAY'S RACE!

Daylight savings time changes just in time for our Sunday race. Remember to set your clocks ahead so you don't miss it!

5K Race awards to top 3 M/F Overall Finishers, and Top 3 Age Group Finishers In the following categories

U10,11-14,15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

• Location: Walsingham Park Shelter 8, Seminole, FL  (use 102nd Avenue Entrance- left at the bridge, by the dog park)
• Date and Time: Sunday March 13, 2022
• Registration/ Packet Pickup:  opens at 8:00am
• 5K race ceremony at 8:45, race start at 9:00am
• 1 Mile Awareness Walk - 9:10am

Fundraising Information: Top Overall Individual and Team Fundraisers will be honored!  Race registrations will not count towards fundraising goals.

EVENT DETAILS:

• LATE REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON RACE MORNING- please register as soon as possible to avoid lines and confusion at pick up ! (Shirt Size not guaranteed for late registration- we will do our best!) 

• REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS:  PACKET PICK UP RACE MORNING OPENS AT 8:15am
  
  • Early Pickup Option: Local participants can Save time race day and come by to pick up packet with race bib, Race Shirt  
  • Friday March 11 from- 10am-2pm
  • 4592 Ulmerton Road  Clearwater, FL 33762 
  • Registered Participants will receive an email notification with instructions for pick up
  •  
  • 5K/1 Mile Awareness Walk VIRTUAL RUNNERS/WALKERS: WHAT IS A VIRTUAL RACE?  A virtual race is a race that can be run (or walked) from any location you choose. You can run, jog, or walk on the road, on the trail, on the treadmill, at the gym, or on the track (or even at another race). You get to run your own race, at your own pace, and time it yourself. And your medal will be shipped directly to you. Complete our virtual 5K wherever you want to do it!  You do not have to wait for your packet to arrive to complete your race.  Once you have signed up for the race, decide on the distance you want to complete (1 Mile or 5K) and then decide on the course you want to do, or you can do it on the treadmill. You time yourself. You can even get your friends and/or your kids to race with you too.  Submit Your Results- Our Virtual race is on the honor system. Once you have completed your race, you can submit your results or take Photos With Your Medal and Share Your Race With Us! We would love to hear about your race and your personal story.

• If you plan to participate in the event, please click on the "Sign Up" icon first. You can then register individually, set up a team, or join one of the teams already created, and select your t-shirt size.
• If you cannot attend the event but want to donate to the cause or one of the teams, click on the "Donate" icon. Prompts will show you how to donate to a specific team, or the event in general.
• Opportunity Drawings- Tickets available for purchase on race day! Drawing items include tickets to local attractions, gift baskets and more! Bring cash for tickets, $5. Each!

A Message from Tava Wilson, Christina's Mother:
"I don't want others to have to struggle to find knowledgeable medical help, the way we did. This event honors not only the memory of my daughter, but also all individuals currently suffering with POTS, EDS and other forms of Dysautonomia. This day is YOURS."

Dysautonomia involves disorders of the autonomic nervous system, and usually involve abnormal symptoms in many organ systems, including cardiac, gastrointestinal, neurological, and pulmonary, as well as others. Dysautonomia, an invisible illness, may be one of the most misdiagnosed medical conditions of all time. The biggest problem in autonomic medicine today is the lack of knowledge about dysautonomia in communities and with community-based physicians. This effort is personal for me. I am blessed beyond measure to be the mother of Christina Tournant, who voluntarily gave up her fight with POTS/Dysautonomia on March 5th, 2015. Christina loved math, so naturally, Pi Day (3/14) was her favorite. In high school, Christina won numerous awards, both for athletics and academics. Full of passion for knowledge, Christina was valedictorian of her high school and was accepted to her dream university: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in Cambridge, MA. Throughout these years of achievement, Christina suffered from numerous unusual symptoms and spent MANY hours in the offices of a variety of medical specialists. Christina was finally diagnosed with POTS/Dysautonomia after a friend suggested this as a possibility. Following her diagnosis, we were given misinformation or no information regarding the many symptoms she suffered from or what to expect. Christina was essentially led to believe that she could control this by "thinking positive thoughts." The Doctors did this because they did not know enough about Dysautonomia to be able to educate us, and unfortunately made it seem like it was not a big deal (which was clearly not the case!!). The AWARENESS and better understanding of Dysautonomia by medical professionals is KEY, and Christina's story exemplifies why it is SO URGENT. By spreading awareness about Dysautonomia and helping to fund research and treatment centers, I/we hope to help others who are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and are suffering. PLEASE help us do this by getting involved in our event. No donation amount is too small:-). -Tava