Run for the Ribbons 5K returns to Rockingham to celebrate healthy lifestyles of Sandhills families and residents

ROCKINGHAM – On Saturday, April 16, runners, joggers, walkers and racers from all over the county will take over downtown Rockingham for The Foundation of FirstHealth’s Run for the Ribbons 5k and Family Fun Run 1K.

Benefiting FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital Foundation and Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham, race proceeds support the health needs of the Sandhills community including assistance with patient transportation, medical equipment and supplies, inspiring exercise and healthy nutrition to decrease childhood obesity rates in Richmond County and providing education and screening to help reduce the morbidity rates in Richmond County from heart disease and lung cancer.

“We are excited about the race this year and are particularly enthused with the partnership with Discovery Place KIDS, the City of Rockingham and the Richmond County Tourism Authority to bring all these activities together to improve the health of our community,” said Ron Ballard, chair of the Richmond Memorial Hospital Foundation. “The support from the community is greatly appreciated and we look forward to a great line up of activities for Saturday.”

This is the second year Run for the Ribbons is held in downtown Rockingham when The Foundation of FirstHealth teamed up with Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham and their Big Fun Run to combine both races into one community event. Sandhills families come together to pledge to be active and promote healthy lifestyles in their families and neighborhoods.

"It’s been great to see Museum guests get excited about the race. We’ve met families and neighbors who are training together while teaching their children about health,” said Katie Rohleder, Director of Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham. “The other day in I CAN Be Healthy a father was showing his son how to check his heartrate with our heartrate monitor by having him run in place, demonstrating how exercise is good for our hearts. It’s moments like this that validate the importance of having opportunities like Run for the Ribbons that support our community’s health and wellness programs, so families can explore health together, contributing to our community’s overall wellbeing.”

Following the race will be the new community festival, SpringFest at the Rock. The afternoon festival includes a car show, crafts, food, family fun and a concert from Bucky Covington from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in downtown Rockingham.

Race packet pickup is Friday, April 15, from 5-7 p.m. at Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham, or 7:00 a.m. Race Day at the registration table. The Fun Run will kick off at 9:30 a.m. and the 5K will begin at 10:00 a.m. All registered race participants will receive FREE admission to the Museum on Race Day. Registration is $30 in advance or $35 on Race Day, and $15 for the Family Fun Run 1K. To register, visit https://www.firsthealth.org/ribbons for more information.

# # #

About The Foundation of FirstHealth

The Foundation of FirstHealth is the catalyst for philanthropy – literally the stepping-stone for our regional medical system that is now among the finest in the region. It is a system paced by innovative thinking and support. For more than eight decades, the Foundation has inspired and mobilized individuals, families, businesses and organizations to provide FirstHealth of the Carolinas with the financial means to fulfill its mission of caring for people.

The FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital Foundation supports patients, capital improvements to the Richmond Memorial Hospital and provides support for Richmond’s Health Screening Day to encourage community members to become a more active participant in their own health.

About Discovery Place KIDS

Discovery Place KIDS is an innovative model in regional children’s museums developed by Discovery Place, Inc., the parent company of Discovery Place and Charlotte Nature Museum. Discovery Place KIDS is built on the theme of “I CAN” and offers unique opportunities for learning through play for children and their parents or caregivers. For more information about Discovery Place KIDS, call 704.372.6261 or visit discoveryplaceKIDS.org. Connect with Discovery Place KIDS–Rockingham on Twitter at @DPKRockingham.

About Discovery Place

One of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place provides ever-changing, entertaining facilities that engage people in the active exploration of science and nature. The Museum brings relevant, contemporary science to life through groundbreaking exhibitions, interactive educational programming and hands-on activities. Nearly a half-million people from all over the United States engage with Discovery Place and its IMAX® Dome Theatre each year. For more information about Discovery Place, call 704.372.6261, visit discoveryplace.org or connect with Discovery Place on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Discovery Place Inc. owns and operates Discovery Place, Charlotte Nature Museum and Discovery Place KIDS and is supported, in part, with funding from the Arts & Science Council.