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Sun November 12 - Sun November 19 Charleston, SC 29403 US Directions

Events

Place

69 Hagood Ave
Charleston, SC US 29403

Description

We are no longer accepting registrations to run or walk the 5k course at The Citadel on November 12.  If we added more people onto the course, we would not be able to provide the 5-star quality event that we’re planning.

It is still possible to participate in this event, virtually.  You can register for the virtual event by clicking on the icon for that event, above.  You can then run or walk a distance of 5k (3.1 miles) at a time and place of your choosing.  Everyone who registers for the virtual option will receive (via mail to a US, APO or FPO address) a t-shirt and a finisher's medal.  There will be no awards in the virtual category; registrants in that category will not need to submit any information about when they walked or ran the 5k, or how long it took them. They can, of course, post their results on whatever social media they would like.  It may take a month, or more, for the virtual participants to receive their t-shirts and medals, depending on the number of people who register for the virtual option.  This event will benefit our veteran community, as explained further below, and the virtual option allows you to show your support of our veterans, and get a shirt and medal commemorating your participation.

Also, it is still possible to donate to this cause.  Donors who give $10 or more will be able to make their donation “in honor of”, or “in memory of”, the name of a veteran.  For each named veteran, a 4"x6" flag, with the veteran’s name, will be placed along the course.  Donors can pick up their flags at the event and any flags that are not picked up will be donated for use on veteran graves.  To make a donation to support our veterans, please click on the DONATE icon at the top of this page.

For those already registered for the in-person event:

1.  Packet Pickup:  Packet pickup will be on Thursday, Nov. 9 (Summerville), Friday Nov. 10 (The Citadel) and Saturday, Nov. 11 (Mt. Pleasant).  Details are at the "Packet Pickup" tab above.  THERE WILL BE NO RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP.  If you have concerns, contact:   lisamdeaton@comcast.net

2.  Race details:

  • When:
    • November 12, 2023
    •   9AM - 5K- run it competitively, walk it leisurely, or anything in between
    • 10AM - Post Race Festivities Begin
  • Where:
    • The Citadel’s Holliday Alumni Center
      69 Hagood Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
  •  Awards:  
    • Overall - Male/Female 1st-3rd
    • Masters - Male/Female 1st
    • Grand Masters - Male/Female 1st
    • Veterans - Male/Female 1st-3rd
    • Active-Duty - Male/Female 1st-3rd
    • 5 Year Age groups - Male/Female 1st-3rd
  •  What's included with registration:  
    • Chip timed 5K with results posted online 
    • Finishers receive a finisher medal
    • Long Sleeve shirt
    • Post Race Refreshments
    • The satisfaction of knowing that you honored our veterans and helped to improve their lives
    • Active Duty and Veterans will receive a special bib denoting their military service

Many Low Country veterans are in need of food and other basic essentials.  There are about 2,500 veterans living below the poverty line in Charleston, and one out of every five Low Country residents getting food at local food banks is a veteran.  Further, over 11% of veterans, from ages 18 to 64, report food insecurity; that's more than twice the rate for non-veterans.  Recently, these problems have worsened significantly for our veterans, due to the termination of COVID-related government aid, combined with high inflation.

Many local veterans also need support for their mental well-being.  Multiple deployments and other stresses of military service have left many veterans with invisible wounds:  injuries to their mental health.  The rate of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among soldiers is nearly 15 times higher than the rate for civilians. For veterans currently leaving military service, it is estimated that:  30% have, or will have, PTSD symptoms; 20% suffered a traumatic brain injury; and 10% have an addiction to substances.  These invisible wounds, often combined with the financial difficulties described above, have led to an alarming rate of homelessness and suicide within our veteran community.  The homeless rate for veterans is twice that of non-veterans, and the suicide rate is 1.5 times greater than that of non-veterans.  About 22 veterans commit suicide a day, and nearly three quarters are not under VA care.  Since 9/11, the number of veterans our country has lost to suicide is more than 4 times greater than the number of combat deaths.

This Veterans Day 5k event will help Low Country veterans who need -- and deserve -- our support.  Proceeds from this event will go to organizations that provide direct support to Low Country veterans:  the Food Pantry at Charleston's Veteran's Hospital; and the Lowcountry Veterans organization.  The Food Pantry at the VA Medical Center provides and distributes food to local veterans, and advises on nutrition and health.  Lowcountry Veterans provides transitional housing to homeless veterans in the Charleston area, housing up to 300 veterans each year in a drug and alcohol-free environment.  It also provides food and transportation, and facilitates educational and employment opportunities, to help veterans find stable employment and housing.

Just as important as the financial support, this Veterans Day 5k provides moral support; it sends a message to all of our local veterans that Charleston cares for, values and honors them.  With this event, we can help to heal the invisible wounds to our veterans' morale by showing them that they matter to us, and by increasing awareness of these wounds.  At the event, participants can learn more about these invisible wounds, how to assess the risk of suicide, and how to get help for veterans at risk of hunger, homelessness or suicide.    

If you have any questions or concerns about the 5k, please feel free to call Lisa Deaton at 843-224-7878.

Please note that dogs are NOT allowed on the course.  We love pets, but the course has 2 loops, so runners will be passing walkers, and the risk is too high that a runner and a dog will collide.

Race Contact Info

If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.

Parking

Attached is a map showing parking areas near the event.

Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.

PDF

Directions

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