The Second Annual Justin Pepper 5K (JP5K) will hit the streets of Chapin on Saturday, August 31, with a new route and a renewed purpose to raise scholarship funds for deserving high school students with a passion for community service.
According to Justin Pepper Foundation CEO and race organizer Kari Pepper McKeone, the Justin Pepper 5K has three components: a one-mile kids fun run for ages 3-12 years, a 5K for walkers and runners, and the 5K Ruck, where walkers wear a weighted backpack or “ruck” sack to increase the intensity of the workout.
“We are excited to host this second annual charity run as part of the Chapin Labor Day Festival weekend,” McKeone said. “Proceeds from the race support The Justin Pepper Foundation’s unique scholarship campaign which recognizes high school students for their commitment to community service and volunteerism.”
The JP5K features a new route this year, starting and ending at Palmetto Bone & Joint (104 Ellett Road in Chapin). Participants will run, walk or ruck through the Chapin Business and Technology Park. Registration begins at 6:00 am. There will be a warm-up starting at 6:30 am led by Anytime Fitness Chapin. The 5K race and ruck begins at 7:00 am and the kids fun run starts at 7:30 am. There will be an awards ceremony after the race at 8:30 am.
“I am grateful to our sprinter sponsor Palmetto Bone & Joint as well as the other area businesses that are supporting our race,” McKeone added.
The foundation is still accepting race participants and they can register online through August 30 by 9:00 pm. McKeone is also recruiting volunteers to help with race set up and break down as well as provide scouts along the race route. There will be a trophy awarded to the school and church/community group that brings the most volunteers. If you or your organization is willing to help, visit https://www.comevolunteer.com/events/12800-justin-pepper-5k-walk-run-ruck/volunteer to sign up.
The Justin Pepper Foundation was established in 2007, to encourage youth to take ownership in the communities through volunteer activities and philanthropy. The foundation recognizes and rewards young people who excel in community service by providing scholarships to assist students with educational opportunities beyond high school. In the past six years, the foundation has awarded $30,000 in scholarships to teens across the Midlands.
