The inaugural Red Dress Dash 5K — an event combining fitness, fashion and fundraising — is a mid-week run taking place on Detroit’s scenic Belle Isle State Park.
Organized by Ann Arbor-based multi-sport management company Epic Races and benefitting the American Heart Association, this 5K is slated for Wednesday, July 27. All runners and walkers are welcome to participate in this event focused on bringing attention to heart disease, the number one killer of women. Participants are encouraged to wear a red dress as part of the American Heart Association’s “Go Red For Women” campaign, which aims to educate women of the risk factors of heart disease — a disease that takes the lives of more women than all cancers combined.
“Cardiovascular disease is 80% preventable. With increased awareness and education we can make a difference,” says Jennifer Schwartz, co-director of the DMC American Home Fitness Detroit Goddess Half Marathon, 10K & 5K Heart Heroes. Schwartz, a heart disease survivor, has a pacemaker to treat third degree heart block and has run seven half marathons in the last three years.
All Red Dress Dash 5K participants will receive a medal, t-shirt and goodie bag. Special prizes will be awarded for the best red dressed men and women, with post-race beverages on tap from Michigan’s own Wolverine Brewing Company. Runners and walkers will also enjoy a heart-healthy spread of snacks and treats.
The Red Dress Dash will take place at 7 p.m., with packet pick-up and same day registration beginning at 5:30 p.m. The 5K course starts and finishes at Belle Isle State Park, offering stunning views of the city skyline and coast. A one-mile fun run/walk option is also available.
To learn more about Go Red For Women, and to make a donation, log on to www.heart.org/detroitgored.
Ready to sign up? Register here » Be sure to use the code MRG16Epic10 to save 10% your race entry.
