The Special Olympics of Tennessee is hosting a 5k Unity Run April 12 in Martin.
The race is considered to be an opportunity to bring the community together and “knock down barriers.” Its purpose is to give the opportunity for an inclusive sporting event.
Nathan Dunnavant is a local UTM student who is organizing the race.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to put this race together and raise awareness of the Special Olympics of Tennessee, as well as, the campaign that it is supporting,” Dunnavant said.
This 5k will also be bringing awareness to the campaign “Spread the word to end the word.”
The “Spread the word to end the word” campaign requests that people pledge to stop saying the “R-word,” which stands for the word ‘retard’ or ‘retarded’.
It’s considered derogatory and offensive according to www.r-word.org, and a main purpose of this race is to help raise awareness of this campaign. The 5k Unity Run encourages people to take the pledge to stop using this word, and to treat people with disabilities as equals.
Those with disabilities and those without will be participating together for a common goal at the Unity 5k.
There is a $15 registration fee and registration forms can be picked up from The Sidelines in Martin, Tenn., or participants can register the day of the race. The race will be at start at 8 a.m. Saturday morning.
Runners who have not registered are advised to show up with plenty of time to fill out all of the forms beforehand.
The money made from this event will go to support the Region 7 Special Olympics. Region 7 includes Weakley, Obion, Lake, and Henry Counties. The money will be used to fund the local, regional, and state events, as well as, transporting the children to and from these events.
The 5k Unity Run organizers are still looking for volunteers to help with the event. For more information please contact Nathan Dunnavant at natadunn@ut.utm.edu or call (931) 374-8755.
