INK! (Investing in Kids) and Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine have announced this year’s 6th Annual Jail Break 5K run and walk fundraiser. Local activities will be held on Saturday, October 30 with race registration at 6:30 a.m. and race start at 8:00 a.m. with activities until 12 p.m. Run events begin at the Old Jail Museum, 167 San Marco Blvd. in St. Augustine, Fla.
Family friendly entertainment includes adult and children “jail breakers” who plan their escape from the 130-year-old historic venue and run through picturesque, historic areas of St. Augustine also known as The Nation’s Oldest City. Scenic ocean, river and Intracoastal Waterway views are featured in the run on the Francis and Mary Usina “Vilano” Bridge, and wrap up at Vilano Beach Pavilion, 20 Vilano Road in St. Augustine. The event is a 5K USA Track & Field (USATF) Certified Course # FL17069TY.
New this year will be live bands alongside the race route with The Grapes of Roth, featuring Elizabeth Roth and her local style of classic rock and contemporary music, and Skin & Bonz, featuring Tommy Bledsoe and Company with bluegrass and modern folk music, plus entertainment and activities for runners and attendees, and a pre-race warm up at Old Jail Museum. All runners will be rounded-up as “prisoners” as they begin the race and will be transported back to the Old Jail from Vilano Beach by shuttle as needed.
During this time, a Halloween costume contest sponsored by Ghosts and Gravestones will include more than $1,000 in cash prizes, and other treasures. Distinctive t-shirts are available with size of shirts guaranteed and this year’s unique finishers medals to those who register by Friday, October 1.
Early race registration starts on Saturday, July 24 until Saturday, July 31 and cost is $25 for each participant. From Sunday, August 1 until Monday, August 30, cost is $30 per each participant. From Wednesday, September 1 until Thursday, September 30, cost is $35 per each participant. From Friday, October 1 until Friday, October 29, cost is $40 per each participant. Day of race entries on Saturday, October 30 are $45 per participant. The first 700 race finishers will receive this year’s distinctive medal.
Free race parking is available at Old Town Trolley locations including 167 San Marco Ave., 1305 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd. and 1700 Ponce De Leon Blvd. in St. Augustine. Registration opens at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 23.
Visit https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/SaintAugustine/EscapeFromStAugustine. Registration check payments are payable to INK! (Investing in Kids) at 1 Christopher Street St Augustine, Fla. 32084.
Overall male and female finishers and the top three runners will be in the following age groups: 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, and 75 and older. Water stations will be located at the race start, and at the one mile, two mile, and at the finish line.
Proceeds from the race will be donated to benefit the innovative programs and classroom resources at INK! which promotes academic success for all St Johns County public school students and teachers. In the event of inclement weather, emergency or a natural disaster, INK! reserves the right to cancel or postpone the race. In the event of cancellation or postponement, there will be no refunds.
INK! (Investing in Kids) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and leads education efforts to directly benefit the educators and students of St. Johns County public schools. Since 1994, INK! (Investing in Kids) has led the effort to cultivate academic success for students and teachers through funding, teacher enrichment, classroom initiatives, and community inspiration. For more information about the race and nonprofit, visit the website at www.ink-stjohns.org. Contact Donna Lueders, INK! Executive Director at 904-547-7120 or email Donna.Lueders@stjohns.k12.fl.us.
