JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – VyStar Credit Union hosted the 6th annual Emerald Trail 5K, 10K, and 1-mile fun run.
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The first race included nearly 200 people. Over 800 participants came to the starting line, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars, all going towards Groundwork Jacksonville and the Emerald Trail.
“We need people to support the building of the trail, and this is one of the great ways people can come out and show their support,” Dana Karzan, the Chief Marketing Officer of VyStar, said.
It’s all about getting better and stronger for Junior Johnson and his Runners Elite Group, an organization he founded to help get like-minded people together and do events like these.
“If you’re trying to lose weight, if you’re trying to get faster, if you’re training for a marathon, 5K, whatever it may be, we want to provide a positive, safe area for you to come out there and chase your goals,” Johnson said.
The race took runners and their companions right on Emerald Trail, along the LaVilla Link and S-Line Rail Trail.
“We try to get as many people as we possibly can,” Doug Tillett, President of JTC Running, said.
He was there for all six runs; not only does JTC present this run, but also the iconic Gate River Run, among others.
But with the Emerald Trail, Tillett said he is extremely excited about the groundbreaking of the Hogan Street Link, which will connect the Riverfront Plaza along the Northbank to Hogans Creek in Springfield.
“I think the Hogan Street Link is going to be pretty good,” Tillett said. “I think it’ll be a real good connector so people downtown can actually just get out, go for a little walk, and see something and do something.”