R(un) For One 5K returns to Veterans Park

Lifeline Children’s Services of Hoover will raise money to support “(un)adopted,” its international orphan-care ministry, when it hosts the fifth annual “R(un) For One 5K” and the one-mile “Kids Fun R(un)” at Veterans Park Aug. 20. Registration begins at 7 a.m., the 5K at 8 a.m. and the fun run at 8:45 a.m.

Orphan care is a critical issue because less than 1 percent of the 153 million orphans worldwide will be adopted, said Krystal Brummitt, Lifeline events and merchandising manager. Even worse, Brummitt said many of these un-adopted orphans who often are not equipped to make a decent living, can fall prey to sexual exploitation, drug abuse and slavery.

All proceeds will go to “(un)adopted,” which works with government officials, orphanages, businesses, schools and homes in about 10 countries, including China, Uganda, Guatemala and Haiti, to mentor orphans and equip them with life skills.

Participants will run through shaded woods and alongside ponds on the scenic cross-country course at Veterans Park.

After the run, there will be food, live music and other diversions.

Dina and Alan Long, a Mountain Brook couple who adopted two boys from Pakistan, took part in the run in 2015. The event “is not only fun, but gives people a tangible way to be part of an important solution,” Dina Long said.

The registration fee for the 5K is $30 by Aug. 19 and $35 on race day. The fee for the “Kids Fun R(un)” is $15 by Aug. 19 and $20 on race day.

Awards will be given to the first-, second- and third-place male and female finishers overall and to the first-, second- and third-place male and female finishers in 10 other age groups.

Veterans Park is at 4800 Valleydale Road adjacent to Spain Park High School. For more about Lifeline Children’s Services, call 967-0811 or go to lifelinechild.org. For more information, including packet pickup, go to runforone5k.org/al.