The third annual Leo’s Run will be Feb. 5, 2017. Graphic courtesy Leo’s Run.
The third annual Leo’s Run, a 5K run/walk in downtown Silver Spring, is open for registration today. The run was announced back in September and will take place on February 5, 2017.
Leo’s Run was started to honor the stillborn son of Caroline Joyce and Mike Mowery and serves as a place for anyone who has suffered loss to pay tribute to their loved ones. The run will generally follow the same route as last year, beginning and ending at East Silver Spring Elementary School at 631 Silver Spring Ave.
Registration for the 5K is now open through Run Sign Up. The run starts at the school and heads down to Sligo Creek Parkway, passing the site of Leo’s Memorial Service, where the run meanders along the beautiful Sligo Creek.
Runners will make a U-turn at Wayne Avenue and then head into the neighborhood, which returns them to the school along the street where Leo would have been raised.
Proceeds from the 5k will go to Leo’s Garden, a non-profit created by Caroline and Mike, whose aspirations include starting a scholarship for children whose parents have experienced pre-natal loss (i.e., the recipient will have lost a sibling), and supporting and sponsoring creative and artistic activities or therapies such as yoga, art, and outdoor education as a means of promoting the well-being of families who have suffered still birth or other tragic loss.
“During the past two years it’s been incredible to receive the enormous support that Leo’s Run generates for us and others dealing with loss. Convening a community including our family, friends, members of the Silver Spring community and other families that experienced a similar loss is a bright light through the darkness of grief. We are humbled by this gathering of caring people—who share in our love of Leo and come out on an early winter morning to support others that are grieving the loss of a loved one,” said father and race director Mike Mowery.
“This year we have an increased participation from the Silver Spring and Washington, D.C., communities. Coming into its third year this Feb. 5, we are energized by the work of our volunteers and sponsor support; the 2017 run is extra-special as we’re expecting a new addition to our family in December,” he added. “Myself and Caroline are so grateful for the opportunity to host this run, it inspires us to give back and honor Leo’s spirit teaching us about the imprint we leave in the world, no matter how brief.”
Leo’s Run is made possible by sponsors Finn Family Group, Nidel Law, Furnace, Sky House, 3rd Space Wellness, Crossfit Innerloop, Up in DC, Dark Matter Coffee, DC Brau, CSI, MerchNow, Road ID, Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic, Source of the Spring, and Fenton Street Market. If you or your organization is interested in finding out how to support Leo’s Run, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Leo’s Garden is a registered non-profit, Section 501(c)(3) non-profit of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
For further information on Leo’s Run, Leo’s Garden, or how you can help, please contact [email protected]
(Disclosure: Mike Mowery is co-founder of Source of the Spring)