RIDGELAND, Miss. (October 19, 2018)—Northpark will host its inaugural 5K “Glow in the ‘Park” on Friday, November 16. The 5K will be a part of Northpark’s Grand Opening weekend festivities. The race will benefit Adam Malone, a Ridgeland teenager with Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy. Malone founded Adam’s Project, whose mission was to build a universal playground at Freedom Ridge Park for children ages 5-12, including those who are physically challenged. The project was completed in 2012.
As a senior at Jackson Prep, Adam videos high school football games as a member of Prep’s broadcast club and is actively involved in the school’s theater department where he won an award last year for his performance in a one act competition.
Adam and his family suffered a tragic house fire in January 2017. The Malone family rebuilt their home, however the backyard remains inaccessible to Adam who is confined to a wheelchair.
Friends of the Malone family called on the services of a landscape designer and started a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the cause. Providing Adam with increased independence and an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors is a dream that Adam’s friends want to see come true. Northpark’s mission for the 5K Glow Run is Supporting Community, One Family at a Time, year after year, and this is what they aim to do. Sponsorships from the race will benefit Running for Adam and the project’s goal to make the Malone family backyard accessible to the teen.
The race will start at 7 p.m. by the Northpark main entrance between Dillard’s and Belk, and will finish near the new Eatery. Each race participant will receive (1) free beer ticket at the finish line, (must be 21 or over) post-race refreshments, along with door prizes, giveaways, discounts, and goodies. Cash prizes will be given to the fastest male and female finishers, along with age group awards for both run and walk categories, along with a prize for the most decked-out glow runner. As this is an evening race, runners and walkers are encouraged to wear reflective gear. The night will be topped off with Northpark’s Silent Disco after-party, hosted by DJ 51-50.
All schools are encouraged to participate, as the school that has the most students registered to race will win a $500 cash prize. The winning school will be announced during the evening awards ceremony. All schools are invited to compete. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult to race.
For more information on how to become a sponsor of the Glow in the ‘Park 5K, contact Gingi Gautier at vsg@wisecarter.com. To register for the Glow in the ‘Park 5K, visit: raceroster.com. Additional race information can be found at northparkmall.com/events/glow-5k/. Online registration is available through November 12.