News : 2nd Annual Flaughless event set to raise another $10,000 for Wounded Warriors

There are just a few days to go before the 2nd Annual Flaughless 5K at Riverside Park, a memorial run/walk for Dan Flaugh, a Vinton-Shellsburg Class of 2004 graduate and a US Army Veteran who served in Iraq. Dan tragically took his own life in December 2011. The community of Vinton and throughout Iowa have again embraced this event with a great deal of support. Thanks to more than 50 sponsors and more than 400 registrations, the 2nd Annual Flaughless 5K is expected to match and exceed the $10,000 raised last year to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

“We’re extremely pleased with the continued support we’ve received,” said Georgia Sysouchanh, who is coordinating the event. “We’ve modified a few things from last year and are excited about the additions we’ve made to the event.” 

Lisa Horak, who is also coordinating the event, said, “We hope having the 5K following Vinton-Shellsburg’s homecoming this year will bring even more support.”

The American Legion George G. Luckey Post 57 Honor Guard will be at the event again this year with the flags to salute while John Kelley from the American Legion in Vinton plays taps and vocalist Makayla Morrison, V-S Class of 2004 graduate, sings the National Anthem. New this year, balloons will be available for a free-will donation that will be released before the race begins.

Additional Information
Online registration for the run/walk will continue through the morning of the race; however the deadline to guarantee a t-shirt has passed. Extra t-shirts will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. Visit www.flaughless.com to register.

There will be other items available for purchase on race day with proceeds benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project including: extra race t-shirts ($20), athletic moisture-wicking shirts ($20), flip flops ($20), military-style dog tags ($10) and a few other items for a free-will donation.  We will also sell leftover 2012 race t-shirts ($10) and full-zip hooded sweatshirts ($30). All of these items have a limited quantity.

Parking
Parking around Riverside Park is limited and we recommend finding a spot along the residential side streets. 

Check-in and Registration – 9 a.m.
Participants will collect their race packets and t-shirts from the check-in/registration table outside the round shelter at Riverside Park (or inside the shelter if there is inclement weather) across the street from Virginia Gay Hospital. 

Route Map
A copy of the route map will be provided in the race packets. There will also be signs, arrows, and course monitors along the route to help direct participants. The map will be available online at www.flaughless.com.

Opening Ceremony and Awards
There will be a short opening ceremony near the new fountain in front of Virginia Gay Hospital at approximately 9:45 a.m.

Following the race, at approximately 11 a.m., there will be an awards ceremony with customized military-style dog tags handed out to men and women for first, second, and third place in all age categories.

Weather Cancellation
The Flaughless 5K will go on rain or shine. 

For more information and to register or volunteer, please visit www.flaughless.com or contact committee members Georgia Sysouchanh or Lisa Horak at flaughless@gmail.com or via phone at 319-329-6275 (Georgia) or 319-310-2747 (Lisa).

About Wounded Warrior Project™ 
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP) is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP’s purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.Flaugh