Proceeds will benefit YMCA at Wildlight’s financial assistance program
Wildlight’s annual Run Wild 5K, 10K and 1-mile fun run returns Saturday with high attendance.
Organizers hit their target of more than 1,200 runners for the fourth iteration of the event. Proceeds go to the YMCA at Wildlight’s financial assistance program, which supports after-school and summer enrichment programs. As of press time, the event was nearing capacity, with only a limited number of online registrations remaining.
Melissa Yuchasz, YMCA at Wildlight executive director and military outreach co-leader, said the organization doesn’t turn anybody away if they don’t have the money for the programs. She said she wants students to belong.
“If a family needs something like an enrichment camp or science club, we do karate, tumbling,” Yuchasz said. “Any of those youth programs, like sports and enrichment, we offer scholarships if people qualify.”
Wildlight Marketing Manager Brean Thompson said half of Wildlight’s acreage is dedicated to parks and wetlands, making a large athletic event a worthwhile opportunity to activate the space.
“It was a way to open the Wildlight trailways, inviting the entire county to experience the landscape firsthand,” she said.
The first run had 500 people register. The 10K was added a couple of years ago due to community response, Thompson said. She compared the event to a block party.
Rayonier Senior Manager Media and Public Relations Jane Wilder said what started as a chance to explore the area’s scenery and local businesses got bigger each year.
“It’s just naturally evolved,” Wilder said. “I think people have shown a lot of excitement. It gained a lot of traction every year.”
Each route has the starting line double as the finish line. The 5K route starts near Pioneer Park, heading northwest toward Waterbug Park. Then, runners head east on Curiosity Avenue near Wildlight Elementary School before rounding Coin Toss Park back toward the starting line. The 10K route closely follows the 5K, but includes a detour on State Road 200, and runners circle around Whistling Duck Pond near Wildlight’s Horizon Club.
The event also includes live music, food trucks and a kids zone. Festivities begin 8:30 a.m. at 123 Tinker St.
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