A 5K run is being held this Saturday at Darden Towe Park to support the Wounded Warrior Project, the Charlottesville Fire Department and the Charlottesville Police Department.
Dubbed the Honoring Our Heroes 5K, the event was organized by Sean Cothran, a senior at Liberty University and an Air Force ROTC cadet.
“This race is meant to benefit our men and women serving in uniform, both around the world in the military and at home as first responders,” Cothran said. “All the extra donations and funds we get will go straight to the Wounded Warrior Project, CFD and CPD.”
Cothran said he wanted to put on an event to engage the whole Charlottesville community, not just members of the military and first responders. So far 111 participants have signed up, surpassing Cothran’s goal of 100 runners.
About 40 of those participants are Charlottesville community members, Cothran said. The rest are involved with ROTC, CFD, CPD or the military.
Cothran has planned the event largely on his own, with some help from fourth-year Engineering student Justin Mayfield, a fellow AFROTC cadet.
“I’m thankful for everyone’s support and thankful for everybody who signed up. This can’t be a success without them,” Cothran said. “I’ve loved every minute of it.”
This is the first year for the Honoring Our Heroes 5K. CFD Battalion Chief W. A. Hogsten said he would like to see it turn into a regular occurrence.
“I think it can do nothing but grow from here,” Hogsten said. “I would hope it will become an annual event.”
Hogsten is also a law enforcement officer who investigates fire and bomb cases. He has four brothers, three of whom are veterans of the United States military, one of whom is an active duty servicemember. Hogsten will be speaking at the event.
“I want to speak about how it’s an honor to support endeavors of people who are trying to help other people,” he said. “There’s a common tie between all of us, we’re here to help out communities. I think that’s a human trait and something we can all be proud of.”
Hogsten said the race will bring together several groups of people who have a similar focus, “keeping people safe and helping people.”
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