Embrace the Pace will take place on Saturday, Aug. 22, 9 a.m., at Liberty Playground, 6363 Selig Blvd., Independence. The top adult male and female runners in each age group of the chip-timed 5K will receive a Fat Head's growler and a $20 gift card.
Registration closes Friday, Aug. 21, with no race-day registration. Last year's inaugural event drew more than 200 participants and raised $8,000 for Connecting for Kids' free programming, with nearly $900 donated to the city of Independence for new adaptive playground equipment at Liberty Playground.
The $35 registration fee for the 5K and one-mile run/walk/roll includes a donation toward additional adapted playground equipment. The kids' race heats include categories for children who use wheelchairs, walkers, gait trainers or other mobility aids; the cost is $15 with a t-shirt or $5 without.
Every registered participant receives a finisher medal and free hot dogs, donated by the Autism Society of Greater Cleveland. The event also features resource tables and a mobile sensory unit.
Connecting for Kids is a Northeast Ohio group that supports families who are worried about their child — whether it's autism, ADHD, anxiety, school or just a hard time in life — with free programs, help finding resources and a caring community.