The Shelter House Luminaria Run is DEC 7 at Destin City Annex. This annual run offers both a 5K and a 9K run. The course for this twilight run will be lit with more than 2,000 luminaria bags, representing how Shelter House and our community partners light the way to a safer place for victims of domestic violence and sexual violence in our community.
Shelter House, the domestic violence and sexual violence center serving Okaloosa and Walton counties, will present a unique twilight run designed to shine the light on abuse in our community.
The 3rd Annual Luminaria Run to end domestic and sexual violence will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 4:30 p.m. Due to the race’s growth, it is moving from Sandestin to the City of Destin this year. Runners will start at the Destin City Hall Annex and follow a course lined with more than 2,000 luminarias lighting their path.
Registration for adults is $30 for the 5k and $45 for the 9k and includes a long sleeve t-shirt. Children ages 3 through 12 are $10 for the 5k and $15 for the 9k.
The race includes 5k and 9k courses winding throughout the Indian Bayou neighborhood. “We chose the 9k distance to represent that a woman is assaulted or beaten every nine seconds in the U.S.,” explained Shelter House Executive Director Michelle Sperzel. “The luminarias symbolize how Shelter House and our community partners light the way to a safer place for victims of abuse.”
Children are encouraged to participate in the run, and walkers are welcome. This family-friendly event will have a “sweet finish” featuring s’mores, hot cocoa, cupcakes and more.
This is a twilight race starting at 4:30pm. Runners are encouraged to wear reflective gear, and a prize will be awarded for the best lit runner.
New this year, Shelter House is adding a run expo the evening before the race. Runners, friends and family are invited to come to the expo at The Palms of Destin on Friday, December 6 starting at 4pm. Packet pick up and vendor booths will be open.
Luminary bags will be labeled and placed along the course in honor or in memory of loved ones. Bags are available through a $10 donation to Shelter House and can be purchased at the Shelter House office in Fort Walton Beach or on site the day of the race.
Shelter House would like to thank this year’s run sponsors: BE Events, Blueprint Health Studio, Destin Shines, Dixielectricar, Emerald Grande, Furry Fanatics, Kind Bar, Nike Factory Store, Proffitt PR, Run With It, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, SoWal.com, Think It Wear It Express and Wagley Creative. Register online now for earlybird pricing! For more information on the race, sponsorships, expo vendor booths or luminary bags, call Shelter House at 850-243-1201.
Last year’s Luminaria Run drew more than 400 runners and raised over $13,000 to help keep abused women and children in the local community safe.
RUN FORREST RUN!!!! Shelter House Luminaria Run will have the after party at Bubba Gump in Destin immediately following the run! Come out for some gumbo and great food!
Haven't registered yet for today's Luminaria Run? No problem! Come out and see us at Destin City Hall Annex between 2pm and 4pm to sign up. The run starts at 4:30pm.
Are you looking for a way to support Shelter House but aren't a runner or can't make it to the Luminaria Run? Be an Illuninator! Illuminators pay just $15 and receive an official 3rd Annual Luminaria Run long sleeve t-shirt. You can pick it up at the race expo, packet pick up on race day or we'll mail it to you. Proudly wearing your Luminaria Run shirt lets everyone know that you are a light in our community.
Need some incentive to run faster on Saturday? Ambassadors from lululemon athletica Destin Showroom will be at the finish line handing out free stuff!
Results for 3[SUP]rd[/SUP]Annual Shelter House Luminaria Run Released Shelter House, the domestic and sexual violence center serving Okaloosa and Walton counties, presented its 3[SUP]rd [/SUP]Annual Luminaria Run to End Domestic & Sexual Violence on Dec. 7 in Destin. The 5k and 9k courses were illuminated by more than 2,000 luminarias, representing how Shelter House and its community partners light the way to a safer place for victims of domestic violence. The 9k distance serves as a reminder that a woman is assaulted or beaten every nine seconds in the U.S.
More than 350 runners turned out for the race, which included 5k and 9k courses winding throughout the Indian Bayou neighborhood. The fastest male in the 9k race was Claj Pedi of Wilmington, MA with a time of 32:38. The top female on the 9k course was Cynthia Blendermann of Burnsville, MN, clocking in at 39:22. The 5k was led by Martin Conrad of Destin, who came in at 19:20. The fastest female in the 5k was Lindsey Smith of Destin, finishing the run in 21:03.
“The community has shown so much support for the Luminaria Run and for Shelter House,” said Shelter House Executive Director Michelle Sperzel of the run which moved to the City of Destin this year from Sandestin. “The Luminaria Run is not just a race. We designate each mile for someone who has endured domestic or sexual violence,honoring all who have been touched by it, remembering those we have lost and celebrating survivors.”
The twilight race, which brought in almost $15,000 for Shelter House,featured runners wearing glow sticks and even a few in Christmas lights. The Choctawhatchee High School Chorus kept runners going by singing carols, and cheerleaders from Fort Walton Beach High School and Beach Elite Cheerleading put pep in their step at cheer stations along the course. The event was capped off with a post-race party at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. featuring music from Chris Alvarado and Josh Fox and décor from Fisher’s Flowers and BE Events. Runners were kept warm with hot cocoa, gumbo, s’mores, hot toddies and more while the awards were presented.
Shelter House wishes to thank the race sponsors who made this event such a success: 30A, Aimee's Animal Magnetism, BE Events, Beach Community Mortgage, The Beachcomber, Beach Elite Cheerleading, Blueprint Health Studio, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Choctawhatchee High School Chorus,Cook Family Dentistry, Costa Enterprises, Destin Shines, DJ Mike Whitty, Dixielectricar, Emerald Grande, ERA American Realty RentalService, Fast Signs, Fedora Photography, Fishers Flowers, Fort Walton Beach High School Cheerleaders, Furry Fanatics, Gold's Gym, Health Source, KIND Bar, lululemon, Nike Factory Store, The Palms of Destin, Pleat Perry & Richie, Proffitt PR, Ramada Plaza Beach Resort,Reebok, ResortQuest, Run With It, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, SoWal.com, Sugar Mill Sweets, Think It Wear It Express, Wagley Creative and YOLO.
The 4[SUP]th[/SUP]Annual Luminaria Run to End Domestic & Sexual Violence will takeplace December 6, 2014. For more information on participating on the race committee, volunteering or race sponsorships, call Shelter House at 850-243-1201 or visitwww.shelterhousenwfl.org.
