Right to Hike, Inc. (RTH) is one of our favorite non-profit organizations.
Right to Hike was founded to honor Meredith Hope Emerson, who lost her life while hiking Blood Mountain in North Georgia on New Year’s Day 2008.
The primary goals of RTH are to contribute to the things Meredith loved most and to make the outdoors a safer place that people can fearlessly enjoy. To raise funds to meet these goals, Right to Hike will host its 5th Annual Ella’s Run Presented by Georgia’s Own Credit Union on Saturday, October 6th, at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center.
Right to Hike’s President Julia Karrenbauer said “It is hard to believe that this is already our 5th year for Ella’s Run. The community has truly embraced this event and shown that Meredith’s life was not taken in vain, her life continues with each person that comes out to honor her memory.”
This year will feature the traditional 5K course that participants can choose to run or walk and the one mile fun run/walk.
If you’re up to the challenge, you can get down, dirty and happy on the 5K Mud Run — back by popular demand for the second year. The Mud Run will take you on a path that is both paved and on trails that incorporate mud obstacles. It will be a separately timed race that is sure to challenge the most avid runners.
RTH encourages participants and spectators to bring their dogs to enjoy this special day — and every dog will receive a special gift to honor Meredith’s dog, Ella.
Save time race morning and pick-up your shirt, bib number and goodie bag the night before the race at the Buford Branch Georgia’s Own Credit Union.
“We are truly honored to be the Presenting Sponsor of this Event for the 2nd year in a row. It is a great opportunity for us to celebrate the life of Emerson and the community which we proudly serve,” as expressed by Marilyn Merritt, branch manager of Georgia’s Own Credit Union’s Buford Branch.
Registration fees cover the cost of the race, a custom long-sleeve T-shirt and admission to the festival’s food, beer garden, door prizes and dandy vendors. Sign up today to take advantage of the early registration price and to guarantee your T-shirt.
All proceeds from this event will go towards Right to Hike’s main focus of donating emergency cell phone units to local parks, trails and greenways. Thus far, the group has donated three phones, one each at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, Suwanee Greenway and the new Gary Pirkle Park in Sugar Hill.
“Through the years we have not only donated these emergency units, but we have also contributed funds to Meredith’s Scholarship at The University of Georgia, partnered with humane societies and supported numerous local organizations in need. It is because of partners like Georgia’s Own Credit Union that affords us the opportunity to support all the various interests that Meredith enjoyed,” said Right to Hike’s Vice President Brent Seyler.
We look forward to seeing you at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center in Buford on Saturday, October 6th from 9 AM until noon.
Contact Information
Click Here for RTH’s Vendor Information Form
Click Here to Register for Ella’s Run 2012
Click Here to Join Right to Hike
