Walk, Run & Stroll at the 2nd Annual CVHN Smile Mile & 5K May 12

Lace up your shoes and get ready to move! Join hundreds in support of Children's Volunteer Health Network and their worthy mission.

The 2nd Annual CVHN Smile Mile & 5K is set for May 12 - register online now.  Runners, walkers, and stroller-pushers unite at Marina Park in WaterColor in support of CVHN and the mission to enhance the lives of uninsured or underinsured school-aged children by facilitating free, immediate access to medical, dental and mental health care in Walton and Okaloosa counties.

Generous race sponsorship comes from individual donations, fundraising teams and businesses. St. Joe Community Foundation is the presenting sponsor, taking the lead with a donation of $20,000. 

All proceeds from the event go to CVHN, which spends 94 cents of every dollar on its programs that help kids in Walton and Okaloosa Counties to sustain the CVHN mission for their three major programs: the CVHN Dental Clinic located in Santa Rosa Beach, a Mobile Dental Clinic that visits elementary schools and local charities, and a Healthcare Referral Service supported by a network of volunteer medical service providers.

The CVHN Smile Mile & 5K is expected to grow in the second year to around 300 participants. DJ30A will be pumping up the music before, during and after the race. Local comedic actor Kyle Walter will emcee the family-friendly event. Free beer will be provided by Grayton Beer Company, and Chick-Fil-A has generously donated some breakfast grub for participants after the race.

5K participants will start at 7:30 am and head west on Western Lake, turn right on Buttercup, then right onto Scenic 30A with a turnaround point at the halfway mark. The Smile Mile is also known as the ‘Fastest Mile on 30A’ and starts at 8:15 am.

“We call it the Fastest Mile on 30A because we want it to be a competitive run, a fun run, and a short distance to sprint among stellar Watercolor scenery,” says Mike Gavigan, president of the board for CVHN.

Along with family fun activities, a two-night stay at WaterColor Inn will be given to the first place winner of each race.  Prizes will also be given for largest team, and largest fundraising team. 

CVHN is also celebrating its 13th Birthday! The organization has combined the festivities for package pick-up with their 13th Annual Birthday Bash the night before the race on May 11.  Come celebrate CVHN in The Backyard of Love, the stunning venue in Grayton Beach behind Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse House.  Pick-up your race packet and celebrate the 13th  Birthday of CVHN from 5 to 9 pm. Live music and a silent auction are a part of the merriment. 

Don’t delay, register for the race today to make certain you receive a coveted race t-shirt. For more information about CVHN, visit www.cvhnkids.org.