Special to Iredell Free News
The 7th Annual Pay It Forward 5K is scheduled for Saturday, November 19, at Stumpy Creek Park in Mooresville. This unique event is hosted by Rocky Mount Church, which located on Perth Road.
This is a typical race! The Pay It Forward 5K event takes all the proceeds from registration fees, business partners, and generous donations, and then redistributes the money to participants to go out and Pay It Forward.
Rocky Mount Church pays all the expenses – so every penny raised goes back out into community in an act of kindness to another person.
As each runner/walker crosses the finish line – they are given a water bottle containing anywhere from $30 to $500. It is then up to the participant to choose how they will Pay It Forward to another person with their bottle money.
The Pay It Forward Mission
Showing unconditional love of Christ to another person without the expectation of repayment. This is in the hope that it spreads to another and continues to spread.
The last Pay It Forward, held in 2019, raised approximately $32,000 through business partners and race fees.
“Due to Covid restraints, the event was not held in 2020 or 2021 – so we are happy to be back, and our team of volunteers are excited!” Partner Coordinator Roberta Browne explained. “The more sponsorship funds received -– the more funds go into the hands of the runners to Pay It Forward.”
Peter Browne, co-race director added: “That is why we do this, to enable people to reach out to others and help the community.”
Some Pay It Forward ideas are: helping a family in need, buying Christmas presents for children in area hospitals, buying lunch for a law enforcement officer, disaster relief efforts, putting gas in a stranger’s car, stocking the local food pantry or the FeedNC of Mooresville.
The PIF 5K Team encourages groups or teams for the race event. This allows the group to pool their bottle money together and a bigger impact to the charity of their choosing.
“Some people use this event as a way to raise money without having to organize their own events and support their causes that way, and it’s a good team building activity too,” said Richard Harris, co-race director.
Race Details
Race time is 8:30 a.m. and registration is now open at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Mooresville/PayitForward5k
The event is limited to 1,000 participants due to parking constraints and the ability to manage the run effectively. The run begins on Stumpy Creek Road and makes its way through the surrounding neighborhoods on Bay Crossing Drive and Bay Shore Loop before returning to finish in the park.
This race is open to anyone of any age and skill level — so participants can walk or run. Some people finish it in less than 20 minutes and others finish it in an hour
The pre-registration cost to participate in the event is $30 through November 4. The price increases to $35 from November 5-18. Race Day registration, which begins at 7:30 a.m., costs $40 (cash only).
While the water bottle cash awards are for the runners and walkers to use to “Pay It Forward,” the first overall male and female participants will receive a $100 prize. Additional awards for the top three male and female runners in each of the 11 age groups will be given out via medals and gift cards from some sponsors and donors.
Everyone who registers by November 4 will receive a race T-shirt.