News : Flaughless 5K: Third annual event to raise funds for Wounded Warrior Project

The 3rd Annual Flaughless 5K takes place Saturday, Sept. 27.

The third annual Flaughless 5K run/walk will take place Saturday, September 27, 2014 at 10 a.m. at Riverside Park in Vinton. This event was created in remembrance of Dan Flaugh, a 2004 graduate of Washington High School in Vinton and an Iraq War veteran who took his own life in December 2011. Proceeds from the Flaughless 5K will be donated to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a nonprofit organization that supports a full range of programs and services for injured veterans and their families. The Flaughless 5K events have raised more than $25,000 for WWP since 2012.

“Dan was everyone’s friend. We all enjoyed being around him because he brought so much positive energy everywhere he went,” said Georgia Sysouchanh, co-director of the event. “Dan looked out for everyone around him and had such a caring heart. This event is a small way to remember what a huge impact Dan had on all of us.”

According to WWP, over 47,000 servicemen and women have been injured in recent military conflicts. In addition to physical wounds, it is estimated as many as 400,000 service members live with invisible wounds of war including combat- related stress, major depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

WWP has 18 programs and services that are uniquely structured to nurture the mind and body, and encourage economic empowerment and engagement.

Race Information

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-served basis. Visit www.flaughless.com to register.

There will be additional items available for purchase on race day with proceeds benefitting WWP including: dri-fit shirts ($20), pullover hooded sweatshirts ($40), flip-flops ($20), and military-style dog tags ($10). All of these items have a limited quantity.

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

Check-in and Registration – Starting at 8 a.m. Participants will collect their race packets and t-shirts (and chip timers for runners) from the check- in/registration table outside the round shelter at Riverside Park.

Route Map: The race map is available online at www.flaughless.com. There will also be signs, arrows, and course monitors along the route to help direct participants.

Opening Ceremony and Awards

There will be a short opening ceremony near the 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.

The Flaughless 5K will go on rain or shine.

For more information on the Flaughless 5K and to register, volunteer or sponsor, 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 TM

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.