Run for Their Freedom

Continuing with our fall race features, in this edition of the Terra blog we are thrilled to highlight Run for Their Freedom 5k, benefitting the fantastic local non-profit Willowbend Farms. To get us up to speed on all things Run for Their Freedom, we caught up with Kristina Higgins, the Survivor Care Coordinator at Willowbend Farms. Kristina is the race director, along with Willowbend’s CEO Sarah McKinnis. Read on to learn more about a race that has quickly become a Cleveland fall classic.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got involved with WillowBend Farms? 

I started with WillowBend Farms as survivor care coordinator in October of 2020, after a 11 year career in nonprofit public relations/marketing. It was a big switch. Stereotypical as it sounds, I wanted to help those who needed help most and make a difference with actual hands on work, rather than doing it all in a sanitized way behind a desk. In the spring of 2023, I became the administrative director. In this position, I work directly with our CEO to implement policy, oversee day-to-day functioning, and tackle whatever challenges the day brings. I also get to do fun things like plan our annual conference and Run For Their Freedom!

For those who don't know, can you tell us about WillowBend Farms? What do you all do and how does that impact people in our area?

We are a nonprofit organization based here in the local community, but reaching 27 counties throughout our region. We serve survivors of human trafficking through restoration efforts like our two year residential and vocational programs, through connection with services and help reaching goals, and through our emergency response center. Another of our initiatives is prevention, awareness, and education. We provide trainings at no cost to agencies, schools, churches, businesses - anyone who wants to know more about what human trafficking is and what they can do to prevent it. This is just a small summary of all we do! Last year we served 221 survivors and trained over 8,000 people, and we are on pace to increase both of those numbers this year.

When I think of fall races in Cleveland I think of Run for Their Freedom. Can you tell us about the race? How did it come about and how does it benefit the work you all do?

Run For Their Freedom serves a dual purpose. It is our primary annual fundraiser, with all contributions going straight back to survivor restoration. Our fundraising goal of $50,000 covers a survivor's full participation in our two year holistic residential program. The other important purpose for this race is that it brings together the community in order to bring awareness to the reality of human trafficking in Cleveland, and to honor survivors and those we've lost to modern day slavery. We also love to just join with everyone and have a fun night.

We started this with a group of Lee students tasked with developing a public relations campaign for WBF. That was in 2018 and we've been going every year since!

What should runners expect on race day? Where is the race, when does it start, and is there anything else unique about it? 

The race begins by the yellow chair at the Greenway on October 19 at 6:30 pm. We have a 1 mile walk option for those who want to participate but aren't interested in running the 5k. The cool thing about the event is that it's not just a race; it's also a community festival with something for everyone. We will have food trucks, coffee, great music, vendors, games, and so much more. The weather is usually perfect and it's a fun time for families and the whole community to come out and enjoy the evening. Everyone will want to stick around after the race to participate in our powerful candlelight ceremony and worship. 

Anything else you would like to share? 

We hope everyone registers for the race and comes out on October 19 for a great night. The funds raised truly make a huge difference for survivors, and the awareness built impacts prevention efforts within our community. It takes all of us together to do the work!

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The race takes place at 6:30 in the evening, Friday October 19th, in Greenway Park. For more information, visit the event page on Willowbend Farms website. Runners can also learn more about the work and mission of Willowbend Farms by visiting willowbendfarms.org. Be sure to also check out their curated shop in downtown Cleveland at 95 2nd Street NE, Cleveland TN 37311.

Race with us this fall!

As the weather breaks, it's easier to imagine yourself training for a race. We have a great list of local races this fall that we'd love to see you at!

*denotes part of Five Points Race Series race: Join Cleveland for the FIVE POINT RACE SERIES again in 2023! These fall 5k’s celebrate the best of our local parks. Register for and complete at least 3 out of the 6 races and you will earn an exclusive BOCO hat or a $20 Terra Running gift card! Sponsored by the City of Cleveland Parks and Recreation.

*August 1 through November 24: Explore Cleveland Virtual 5k: Help us raise money for the Terra Kids Run Camp in the summer of 2024, all while exploring a new route in Cleveland. This virtual 5k is inexpensive and fun; run a 5k on your own and send us a selfie! We will post all finisher picture's on the window of Terra Running Company to celebrate your accomplishment! All money is donated to the Terra Kids Run Camp, which hosted 50 kids in a running day camp this summer for free! (This is also part of the Five Points Race Series, so if you need a 3rd race finish to earn the hat or gift card, it's easy to do this one on your own!) https://www.terrarunning.com/explore-cleveland-5k

*August 26: Junior Achievement Race to Achieve 5k at Tinsley Park: Did you know this was the very first race Terra Running Company ever timed back in 2017? We have been with JA from the beginning of Terra Running race timing and it always feels nostalgic when we're back at Tinsley Park at sunrise in August for yet another JA 5k! I have had the opportunity to volunteer with Junior Achievement this past year. I taught a really thorough and fun lesson about the economics of our region of the country to 4th graders at Charleston Elementary. I got to see firsthand the impact of these awesome lessons that JA provides for area schools. The 5k is one of their biggest fundraisers and we are proud to be involved. Run this fast course that starts at the dog parks at Tinsley and runs south. https://register.chronotrack.com/r/72420

*September 9: Cowpea 5k + 1 mile in Calhoun/Charleston: Yippeea! This the first EVER Cowpea 5k and we are so excited to be partnering with the International Cowpea Festival on this race. We will be raising money for the Hiwassee River Heritage Center in Charleston. The race starts in Calhoun, runs on historic Highway 11 south over the Hiwassee River to Charleston. We make a beautiful loop through historic Charleston and back north over the river to Calhoun. All participants get a free entry to that day's Cowpea Festival in Charleston. This is a great new local race, and the only race in our neighboring town of Charleston! https://www.terrarunning.com/cowpea-5k-1-mile

September 16: Recovery Alive 5k at Greenway Park: This is the first year for Terra Running to be teaming up with the South Cleveland Church of God Recovery Alive program for the RA5k at Greenway Park. Recovery Alive at South Cleveland is a safe place for you to come and DO recovery. No matter what you struggle with, you are welcome. Recovery Alive meets every Thursday night at South Cleveland Church of God and this is a fundraiser for the program. Join us in spreading hope! https://register.chronotrack.com/r/74537

September 23: Ronald McDonald House Charities Run4Kids at Chattanooga State: We love working with the Ronald McDonald House on this great Run4Kids race! This is one of the Ronald McDonald house's big fundraisers and they do it big! The race brings together runners, walkers, RMHC alumni families and supporters for this fun, kid friendly event. The course runs through Chattanooga State to the Riverwalk and has great views! https://register.chronotrack.com/r/74481

*October 14: Willowbend Farms Run for Their Freedom 5k at Greenway Park: Willowbend Farms sure knows how to put on the 5k! This event is an important fundraiser for Willowbend Farms, whose mission is to fight human trafficking in our area. There is live music at the Greenway Stage, vendors, and a powerful service after the race. Another unique aspect of this event is the evening time, with the race starting at 6pm. https://register.chronotrack.com/r/68288

October 20: Nightmare on Nashville Street in Ringgold, GA: This is the first year for this new 5k, but we have worked with the race organizers on previous events and can assure you, it will be a SCREAM! The 5k will start at the Ringgold Market in downtown Ringgold and will wind its way down a spooky nature trail.  All runners will receive a commemorative race shirt. Performance awards will be given to male and female racers with the fastest time in their age brackets. The 1 mile trick or treat run will be held on the block surrounding Ringgold City Hall. 1 mile participants will receive a shirt with their entry fee and can swing by the tie dye station to give their race shirt some splashes of color.  Participants can also visit trick or treat tables to load up on candy! https://www.evittfoundation.org/nightmareonnashville

*October 21: Cleveland Half Marathon & 5k in downtown Cleveland: We are so excited for the 6th running of the Cleveland Half Marathon & 5k! We have even more sponsors, community organizations, and volunteers involved and are proud to bring you the only half marathon in our area. You know we LOVE our big finishers medals, and this year we are honoring our own Terra Running Company building! The medal is a hand-drawn rendition of the building, complete with runners, coffee drinkers, and even our shop dog, Rocky! http://www.clevelandhalf.com/

*November 23: Thanksgiving Day 5k & 1 mile at Tinsley Park: There are more race finishers on Thanksgiving Day in the United States than any other day of the year. Be one of those finishers by joining us. This race has become one of the biggest 5k's in Cleveland! Join us at Tinsley Park for a fast, flat, family friendly 5k, then go indulge in turkey and pies the rest of the day! https://www.terrarunning.com/thanksgiving-day-5k

December 2: Lafayette, GA Reindeer Run: This is the 2nd year Terra Running has partnered with the Lafayette, GA Women's Club for their annual Reindeer Run and we are big fans of the work they do! The race runs through historic Lafayette, GA and is super fun and festive! Last year, the LaFayette Woman’s Club donated $10,000 to the LaFayette Shop With A Cop program and $9,000 to fund three LaFayette High School Female Scholarships. Get in the Christmas spirit with this awesome 5k! https://register.chronotrack.com/r/74468

December 9: Relay for Life Cleveland Reindeer Run 5k: Help support Cleveland's American Cancer Society Relay for Life with the running of this local Reindeer Run at Greenway Park. Race t-shirts and goodie bags are guaranteed for pre-registered participants. Don't worry about the cold: there will be coffee, hot chocolate and donuts during the morning of the event! https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Cleveland/ReindeerRunClevelandTN