The Goal
The Run for Liberty 5k race/walk is intended to promote fitness in the Findlay community and raise awareness for the Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), a nonprofit law firm providing free legal aid to people living in poverty in civil cases.
How it came to be
As their culminating project for AP Government and Politics class, Andrew Custer, Jacob Meier, Nicholas Kasiborski, and Lucas Parnell decided to put together a 5K. The brainchild of Custer, who is a runner, this race soon began to take shape as Parnell (another runner), Kasiborski, and Meier all got on board. The most important piece of the puzzle, though, is LAWO Pro Bono Director Melissa LaRocco, who has contributed tirelessly to make this dream a reality.
Race Location and Route
The race will start on the south end of Riverside Park and take the bike path (Hemphill Blvd) to Blanchard Street. Then it will turn left on Blanchard and go over the bridge to Sandusky Street. Next, turn left onto Sandusky and follow it to Osborn Avenue. Turn left onto Osborn and follow it to Wedgewood Drive. Turn left onto Wedgewood and then make a quick left onto Hawthorne road. Follow Hawthorne Road, turns back into Wedgewood Drive. Follow Wedgewood Drive to Eastowne Park Row. Turn left onto Eastowne Park Row and then left onto Main Cross Street. Follow Main Cross to Blanchard and turn right onto Blanchard. Finally, once across the bridge, turn right and follow the bike path back into Riverside Park (essentially retracing your steps from the beginning of the race. For especially quick runners, if there are any walkers still on the bike path as you go into the home stretch, please be careful.
Additionally, whenever possible, use sidewalks.
Start and Arrival Times
The race will start at 9 AM on Saturday, August 16. It is recommended that participants arrive at least a half hour before the race starts so they can be checked in. Volunteers should arrive at 8 AM.