Walk by Faith 5K Race/Walk celebrates 10th year with a goal of raising $250K
HOUSTON (Oct. 26) – Organizers of the Walk by Faith 5K Race/Walk are hoping the 10th edition of the event, held Nov. 11 at the University of Houston’s main campus, will be the best ever.
The race is the main fundraiser for Addi’s Faith Foundation, a Kingwood, Texas-based 501(c)(3) founded in 2007 by Tony and Amber Bender to honor their daughter Addison Faith Bender, who died of a cancerous brain tumor at age 2.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating our 10th walk,” said Amber Bender, Addi’s Faith’s Executive Director. “This event has become an annual tradition for many families who enjoy a fun-filled morning for a great cause. It’s definitely our biggest fundraiser, and over the years, this walk has generated almost $1 million. We hope to make this year’s race the biggest and best one yet. Our goal is to raise $250,000.”
Participants can register at www.WalkByFaith5K.org in one of five categories: timed adult/child 5K run/walk for $39, untimed adult 5K run/walk for $25, untimed child 5K run/walk for $15, a kids’ 1K Fun Run for $15 and a special “Sleepwalker” category for $50.
The Sleepwalker category is for those who live outside the Houston area or who can’t make it on race day or who simply want to donate.
Early registration ends Oct. 31 for the timed 5K event and the adult untimed event. It ends Nov. 10 for the children’s untimed race as well as the Fun Run.
The kids’ 1K Fun Run starts at 8 a.m. on Nov. 11, with the 5K start at 8:30 a.m.
“We’ll have the usual after party with awards, food, music, a kids’ zone with inflatables, face painting, spin art, games, etc.,” Bender said. “And the race is for all levels of participants, from competitive runners to walkers to kids of all ages.”
Participants who refer five people to the race will have their entry refunded. Also, the top individual fundraiser will receive special VIP access which includes: VIP tent with breakfast, coffee, and special snacks, VIP port-a-potty, up-close parking, and more.
The event is indeed a “Great Race for a Greater Cause.”
“Less than four percent of the National Cancer Institute budget is allocated towards pediatric research,” Bender said. “Four cents out of every dollar is simply not enough to make significant progress in the fight against childhood cancer. We want to ensure that children with cancer have a fighting chance and receive treatments that are less toxic and more effective. Childhood cancer looks different from adult cancers. It originates in different ways and therefore requires its own research.”
Major sponsors for the race are Shamrock Marine, Hines Furlong Line, Buffalo Marine Service, the University of Houston, Insperity, Christ the King church, Alspaugh’s Ace Hardware, Dormer Insurance Services, Allergy and ENT Services, The Tribune, Dr. Pepper and Panera Bread.
For more information on Addi’s Faith Foundation, visit https://addisfaithfoundation.org/.
