NASHVILLE, TN — Mayor Karl Dean today led walkers and runners for the Fourth Annual Mayor’s Challenge 5K Walk/Run, a free community-wide event to celebrate active, healthy living. An estimated nearly 3,000 participated in the 3.1-mile event that led runners and walkers north of downtown and by the Nashville Farmers’ Market, along Jefferson Street and around the new minor-league ballpark that is under construction.
As part of the Mayor’s 5K, children and their parents participated in the Kids’ Fun Run, which was less than a mile in distance. Both the Fun Run and 5K began and ended at Public Square Park. “We started the Mayor’s 5K three years ago because it was time for Nashville to make a statement about the importance of personal health and what it means to our quality of life,” Mayor Dean said. “I am proud of all our finishers, and I encourage them to stay active. I appreciate our community partners, volunteers and everyone who participated to make the 5K and Fun Run a success.”
Emcee for the event was Jessica Bliss, a columnist at The Tennessean and host of The Bernard Pollard Show on Tennessean.com.
Other events of the day included team photos with Mayor Dean, informational booths, the Nashville Sounds and Ozzie, an inflatable obstacle course and food trucks.
Leading up to the 5K, community members participated in a six-week training program with Metro Parks. Those who successfully completed the training program received free t- shirts. MTA provided free rides to and from the 5K. Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee collected non-perishable food items during the event. For four years in a row, the Mayor’s 5K has drawn several thousand participants to celebrate active, healthy living. It builds on the momentum of other citywide health initiatives, including Walk 100 Miles with the Mayor and Mayor’s Field Day.
Community partners for the Fourth Annual Mayor’s Challenge 5K and Kids’ Fun Run included Jackson National Life Insurance Co., Coca-Cola, Vanderbilt University, YMCA of Middle Tennessee, Nashville MTA, Metro Parks and Recreation Department, the Nashville Striders and Fleet Feet Nashville.
Dennis Freeman of Freeman Enterprises was race director.