Pregnancy Care Center 5K Walk/Run 4 Life in one location this year - THIS WEEKEND!
The above photo was taken in 2015, the first year they held the Lake City event at the Darby Pavillion in Lake City. This year is the first year Live Oak and Lake City participants will join together as one at the Darby Pavillion. -SVT Archived Photo by Gabrielle Stevenson
By Tami Stevenson
On Saturday, October 14, 2023, pro-life advocates will join in one location to celebrate life this year for the Pregnancy Care Center’s annual 5K Walk/Run 4 Life.
In prior years, they held one in Lake City and one in Live Oak, simultaneously. For the first time, the 2023 event will be combined and held at the Darby Pavilion in Wilson Park on Lake DeSoto in Lake City.
It is one of the largest annual fundraisers for the center. According to their website, the theme this year is “Walking Bigger Together.” Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk/run is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Timed runners and walkers can register online before the event at https://www.raceentry.com/pregnancy-care-center-walk-run-for-life/race-information, for $35. Cost is $45 the day of the race. Medals will be awarded to the top finishers in each age category.
Some pro-life event-goers just come to sit and cheer for others. Many get groups together, whether it’s family groups, church groups or employees from local businesses to compete and enjoy the camaraderie, it’s a fun, family-oriented event.
A live DJ, Pastor Chad from Wellspring Church will be onsite playing Christian music. New this year is Danzers for Christ dance studio. They will be there to cheer runners on.
“We’re super excited to have them,” said Pregnancy Care Center Director Lori North. They also will have “Get Fit with Nick” to lead participants in some stretches and warm-ups before the race.
“They all do a phenomenal job,” said North. “It’s always just a lot of fun.”
There will be activities for children, like the Toddler Trot, face painting and more. They also will have hot dogs and new this year - free hamburgers as well, along with other food, like bananas, after the race.
According to North, they combined the two events to have all of the volunteers, staff and participants in one location to make everything easier. “It’s been a challenging situation with more people to serve at the events.”
North also said they are expecting to add another fundraising event in Live Oak for a different time, and will make that announcement with all of the details when they are ready for the unveil.
The Pregnancy Care Center has been helping save the lives of the unborn since 1985. The organization is totally funded by donations. All of their services are free to the clients, including the ultrasound, which dramatically increases the odds of the mother keeping the baby once she hears the heartbeat instead of choosing abortion.
There are three locations, Lake City is located at 130 NW Hilton Avenue (386-755-0058). The Live Oak location is at 137 Grande Street NE (386-330-2229) and the mobile center (386-288-0129) serves Hamilton, Alachua, Union and Lafayette counties.
