The Five Points of Life Foundation and LifeSouth blood bank hosted five races this weekend to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness for blood donations.
The events started early Saturday morning with 400 runners participating in a 5K race and about 700 children running a 1.2-mile childrens’ marathon.
The following day, 939 runners battled cold weather to run in half marathon, marathon and marathon relay races.
The races started on UF’s campus, taking some runners through Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and continuing as far north as Northwest 16th Avenue.
Sam Zhdanov competed in Saturday’s 5K race and finished second in 17 minutes and 38.5 seconds.
Zhdanov, a 15-year-old Gainesville High School freshman, said he has been running in Five Points of Life events for the last four years.
He said the race’s cause meant a lot to him.
“I think it’s really important, and being healthy is so important,” he said.
Brite Whitaker, director of the Five Points of Life Foundation, has been coordinating the race weekend for seven years.
She said awareness and education are the goals of the foundation.
“It’s a great way for us to put on a healthy, well-run event in our community that’s focused on awareness and encouraging people to get out, be healthy and enjoy exercising and running,” she said.
A LifeSouth bloodmobile was parked at the finish line Sunday with sign-up sheets for blood, organ and bone marrow donors.
Whitaker said more than 50 people donated blood during the event.
Gary Kirkland, a 62-year-old media specialist with LifeSouth, said he hoped the races helped spread the word about the benefits of blood donations to people who need it.
“It takes only a few minutes to donate blood,” he said, “and for somebody, that can make a lifetime of difference.”
Brenna Fox, 8, runs with her mother Yael Fox, 32, in the Five Points of Life Kids Marathon. This was their second year participating.
