running in a 5kIf you are interested in challenging yourself, running a 5K is a great goal to have, and you no longer have to travel far to participate in a 5K race. There are several races that take place locally. We’re highlighting three charity races that you can do while promoting health and awareness in our community – the Savage 5K Run, the HealthyHeart 5K, and the Pounding for the Paws 5K.

The Savage Run is a 5K race and acts as the primary fundraiser for The Jordan D. Savage Foundation. This foundation exists in memory of Jordan Savage, a Rockdale High School graduate who passed away from Lupus complications in 2014, only a few weeks after his graduation.

The foundation is a community service organization that promotes athletic participation for young people by paying for registration and equipment fees for those who are not able to afford it. The Jordan D. Savage Foundation also promotes Lupus awareness in the community through various programs and the 5K. For more information about The Jordan D. Savage Foundation, visit their website at http://jsavagesite.wixsite.com/jdotsave2.

To help support The Jordan D. Savage Foundation, register to run in the Savage 5K. The race starts at 8:00am on Saturday, June 3rd at the Rockdale Career Academy. Visit Active.com for more information and to register for the race.

The Healthy Heart 5K and Family Fun Run is another race in June that helps to raise money for the Angel Heart Foundation. The Angel Heart Foundation began in honor of James Gatewood III, who passed away in 2016 of cardiomyopathy, a chronic disease of the heart muscle.

The foundation advocates for awareness of cardiomyopathy, especially of the symptoms as well as furthering research on cardiomyopathy. The Angel Heart Foundation also supplies financial aid to those in need of cardiomyopathy screenings. For more information on the Angel Heart Foundation, visit angelheartfoundationllc.org.

Help support the Angel Heart Foundation by running in The Healthy Heart 5K, which begins at 8:00am at the Rockdale County Government Complex on Saturday, June 17th. For more information and to register for the race, go to RunGeorgia.org.

If you are an animal lover, the 3rd Annual Pounding for Paws 5K Run/Walk might be the race for you. This 5K race supports both the Newton and Rockdale Animal Control. The fundraiser event is hosted by the East Metro Board of Realtors (embor.com).

Runners can bring dogs to race with them, but they must be on a leash. Racers will also receive $5 off registration on the day of the race if they bring a bag of dog food or cat litter.

The 3rd Annual Pounding for Paws 5K starts at 7:30am at Oxford College in Newton County on Saturday, June 24th. To register, visit active.com or RunGeorgia.org.

Running a race with a cause is a great way to do something for yourself while helping others. The Savage 5K Run on June 3rd to promote Lupus awareness, the Healthy Heart 5K and Family Fun Run on June 17th to promote cardiomyopathy awareness, and the Pounding for Paws 5K Run/Walk on June 24th to promote animal safety are just a few of the 5K races going on in our area.