Race for The Place 5K on April 12th

Photo courtesy of Time Frame Photography

The 21^st annual Race for the Place 5K will be held on Sunday, April 12^th at the Jenison Field House and is a fun-filled family event with races for kids of all ages, MSU athlete participation, and a visit from Sparty. Race for the Place is the largest annual fundraiser for MSU Safe Place, a program addressing relationship violence and stalking among members of the MSU and greater Lansing communities.

The Race is for runners and walkers alike and awards are given to the top male and female runners in three categories: top two runners under the age of 40, Masters (age 40-50), and Grand Masters (age 50+). Race for the Place is the second of twelve total races in the 2015 Playmakers Greater Lansing Race Series.

“Last year over 650 people ran, walked, or wheeled the 5K. Many people make the race a family fun day. Each year there is a kid one mile fun run and a 100 yard dash for children, who always get a kick out of meeting MSU athletes who come to the event,” said Jonathan Kermiet, Race for the Place Course Director and Health Educator for MSU's Olin Health Center.

The event will also feature the Clothesline Project, a t-shirt art display at the Jenison Field House. The shirts were created by people who have been affected by domestic violence. The race also serves as an educational tool for Safe Place to increase awareness of domestic violence in the community.

Located on the campus of Michigan State University, Safe Place provides free and confidential advocacy, emergency shelter, counseling, support groups, safety planning, information and referrals to survivors of violence and their minor children. In addition, Safe Place works to increase awareness of relationship violence and stalking through community education and outreach events.

Safe Place began offering the community assistance in 1994, due in part to efforts of Joanne McPherson, the First Lady of MSU from 1993 to 2004. It was the first domestic violence shelter and support program on a college campus in the United States and continues to offer emergency programs, training, and education.

Registration for Race for the Place is available online or on the day of the event for $30.00. For more information about the 5K or Safe Place visit http://safeplace.msu.edu.