In the past, the annual Carying Place Labor Day Race for Home has involved hundreds of racers, who are willing to work up a sweat to help others. This year, the race will happen virtually from Friday, Sept. 4 to Sunday, Sept. 13, and organizers hope to reach the same numbers.
Participants can sign up for 5K, 10K, and Fun Mile races, and the course is anywhere you want to run or walk! All you need to do is run your distance and submit your times online. That means wherever you are – near or far – you can participate in a great race to support an amazing organization.
“Our biggest goal is to stop the cycle of homelessness,” said Leslie Covington, executive director of the Carying Place.
The Carying Place teaches homeless, working families with children life skills for attaining independent living, while providing short-term housing and support services to address their individual needs.
Volunteers provide weekly guidance in seeking permanent affordable housing and maintaining a job. Its 16-week training program also includes instruction in budgeting, goal-setting, time management and self-sufficiency.
In its 27 years, the Carying Place has worked with over 450 families with an approximate 80% success rate, according to the nonprofit’s website. Currently, eight families are living in homes owned by the Carying Place. About 30 requests a week for housing assistance or homelessness-related services are requested, resulting in about 120 families served monthly by the nonprofit.
All proceeds from the race will support the families served by the nonprofit.
Online registration is currently open at LaborDayRaceforHome.org, but closes at 10 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 13.
All runners in the 5K, 10K, and 1 Mile will get a Race for Home shirt and finishers medal. Participants will be able to pick up their Race for Home swag at The Carying Place offices after Labor Day. Kids younger than 5 may participate for free, but a $10 donation is suggested to support the Carying Place mission.
If you’re looking for some great place to run, you can check out Cary’s many parks and 80-plus miles of greenway trails. You can find a complete map at: https://www.townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/bike-cary/maps.
