This year's Run White Lake 5K color run will join the schedule of events for the White Lake Maritime Festival and is set to take place Saturday, Aug. 8. The race begins at 9 a.m. with registration starting at 7:30 and the traditional color toss taking place just prior to race time.
In past years, the Run White Lake 5K, now in its fifth annual race, was linked with the Ava Vanderstelt Scholarship, but the scholarship hosted its own Colors for Hope 5K Saturday, July 25. Run White Lake will benefit a new nonprofit, the Bridge and Bloom Project, which shares the mental health focus of the scholarship race but takes a more broad-based approach.
The project was launched by Jenna and Rob Sorensen of White Lake Nutrition in hopes of boosting mental health in the White Lake area.
"This community is deeply personal to our family," Rob Sorensen said. "Jenna and I both grew up here, graduated from Montague, and are now raising our four children here. They attend school in Whitehall, play sports here, and are growing up surrounded by many of the same people, traditions, and places that shaped us. Our roots here run deep, and Bridge and Bloom Project grew from a sincere desire to give back to the students and families who make this area so special.
"We have tremendous respect for the work that has been done in Ava’s memory and are grateful for the role that cause has played in the history of the race...The separation allows each organization to move forward with its own purpose while continuing to contribute something meaningful to the community."
Bridge and Bloom describes itself as a nonprofit focused on helping students thrive in mind, body and spirit.
"We see the race as more than a single morning," Rob said. "It can strengthen relationships, raise awareness, and help create opportunities for students throughout the year."
The cost to participate in the race is $35, and sign-up is available at runsignup.com/Race/MI/Whitehall/RunIt5KWhiteLake.
