1000+ Runners Anticipated for MCVET's 24th Annual 5K/10K, June 9

BALTIMORE – The Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training, Inc. (MCVET) – the nation’s premier program for helping homeless veterans heal and achieve independence, self-sufficiency and permanent housing – will hold its 24th Annual 5K/10K event, Sunday, June 9.

Rain or shine, over 1,000 runners are expected to gather for the races, which start and end at War Memorial Plaza in front of City Hall. On-site registration will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m. at the Lexington Street entrance to the War Memorial Building (101 N Gay St., 21202).

Following warm-up exercises, conducted by Back on My Feet (BOMF) Baltimore, the 5K race takes off at 7:30, followed by the 10K at 8:30. Both are open, amateur races with IPICO Sport Tag Chip timing provided by Charm City Run. Runners will travel on flat and relatively fast USAT&F-certified and sanctioned courses down Light Street, through the historic Inner Harbor area to Federal Hill, Locust Point and back.

Following the races, everyone can enjoy refreshments, music, door prize drawings, additional entertainment and vendor tables throughout the Plaza. A brief ceremony will feature a performance of the National Anthem by the MCVET Message of Hope Choir, remarks by Race Marshal Dick Cass (president of the Baltimore Ravens, who annually participates in the MCVET 5K/10K as a runner and supporter), and the presentation of cash awards and age group awards, medals and trophies.

“Participating in MCVET’s 5K/10K Walk/Run on Memorial Day weekend is a great way for the community to show its support for not only homeless veterans, who need and deserve our support, but all veterans, who MCVET consider to be our nation’s true heroes,” said MCVET Executive Director Jeffery L. Kendrick. “We hope people will come to walk, run, or just be part of the festivities.”

Event proceeds will help MCVET continue to provide comprehensive services – including Housing, Case Management & Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counseling, Health Care and Education & Employment Services – to help veterans rejoin their communities as productive citizens.

Registration, which includes a race bag and shirt for all runners, is $35 in advance/$40 on race day for the 5K and $40 in advance/$45 on race day for the 10K with checks made payable to “MCVET.” For online registration, visit http://www.charmcityrun.com/calendar/mcvet-5k10k-walk-or-run.

Pre-registration and packet pick-up is available from noon to 6 p.m., June 3 at Charm City Run (1910 Towne Center Blvd. Suite 120, Annapolis - 21041), June 4 at Falls Road Running Store (6247 Falls Rd., Baltimore - 21209), June 5 at Feet First Sports (5305 Village Center Dr. Suite 110, Columbia - 21044), June 6 at Fleet Feet Store (1852 Reisterstown Rd., Pikesville - 21208), June 7 at Road Runner Sports (6630-C Marie Curie Dr., Elkridge - 21075), and June 8 at Charm City Run- Timonium (2045 York Rd., Timonium - 21093).

To learn more about MCVET, event sponsorships, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.mcvet.org, call Laurie Fragier at 410-576-9626 x 233 or email lfragier@mcvet.org. To date, current sponsors include the Baltimore Ravens, Constellation/Exelon, Safeway, The Safeway Foundation, Horseshoe Casino, PayPal, Enterprise Community Investment Inc., Tower Federal Credit Union and the Kent Island American Legion.

About MCVET

The Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 organization established in 1993. Using a “Veterans Helping Veterans” philosophy, it has provided residential shelter and wrap around supportive services for homeless men and women veterans to over 10,000 veterans from all branches of the military, without regard to their character of service. For more information, visit www.mcvet.org.