On Your Mark, Get Set, Go for RaceTrac’s 11th Annual Run For Research 5K to Benefit Parkinson’s Research

ATLANTA– (July 25, 2024) – RaceTrac, Georgia’s second largest privately owned company, will host its 11^th annual “Run for Research” 5K race to advance Parkinson’s research on Saturday, Sept.14, at Truist Park. As in past years, one hundred percent registration fees will benefit The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s (MJFF’s) high-impact global research programs seeking better treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
 
“We know that Parkinson’s affects nearly 30,000 in Georgia, and its impact is devastating for those living with the disease and for their loved ones,” said Melanie Isbill, chief brand officer at RaceTrac and member of MJFF’s board of directors since March 2021. “This past year has been a very exciting time for the Foundation, with the announcement of new tests, new therapies and new legislation bringing hope that a cure is truly within reach.”
 
Donations to MJFF have enabled researchers to discover a biomarker breakthrough that detects pathology in spinal fluid not only of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s, but also in individuals who have not yet shown clinical symptoms of the disease. Each year, there are approximately 90,000 new Parkinson’s diagnoses added to a list of over one million Americans currently living with the disease, including RaceTrac executive chairman emeritus and current MJFF Patient Council member Carl Bolch Jr.
 
“Recent scientific leaps like the discovery of a biomarker and the bill passage of The National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act have made this an extraordinary period for Parkinson’s research. We are continuously inspired by the tremendous commitment our partners bring to our ultimate goal: finding a cure for the millions of people and families living with Parkinson’s around the world,” said Veronique Enos Kaefer, MJFF’s vice president of philanthropy. “The RaceTrac team has long been a critical partner through their dedication to the Foundation’s mission, both through commitment to mobilize the community to take action and through generous spirit helping to speed high-impact research programs.”
 
RaceTrac’s Run for Research is part of the company’s wider RaceTrac Gives Back initiative which supports several causes that help make people’s lives simpler and more enjoyable. Each year in April, during Parkinson’s Awareness Month, RaceTrac guests have generously added one dollar to their in-store purchases or selected a special, one-dollar candy bar to support The Michael J. Fox Foundation. During one week in April, all coffee proceeds are also donated directly to the foundation. In 2023, between the Run for Research 5K race and proceeds from April’s RaceTrac Gives Back in-store promotions, RaceTrac raised over $1.2 million in support of Parkinson’s research.
 
Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are invited to participate in this year’s Run for Research and can register for either the 5K or 1K at runsignup.com/RaceTrac5K.com. Registration opens at 7 a.m. on the day of the race at The Battery, and the event kicks off at 7:30 a.m. with a 1K run/walk, followed by the 5K run/walk at 8 a.m. All race participants will cross the finish line on the baseball field inside Truist Park. An awards ceremony will follow at 9 a.m. Free food, prizes, music and more are included with the price of registration. Run for Research is a pre-qualifier for the 2025 Peachtree Road Race.
 
Runners who are not able to attend the race in person but are still eager to participate and raise funds for Parkinson’s research can select the Virtual 5K sign-up option on the registration page. The theme of this year’s race is “Race for Fox in your Craziest Socks,” and participants are encouraged to show their enthusiasm and support by wearing their brightest, loudest knee-high socks.

For additional information and resources on Parkinson’s disease, visit michaeljfox.org. 
For more information, visit runsignup.com/RaceTrac5K.com

About RaceTrac
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, family-owned RaceTrac has been serving guests since 1934 and now operates over 580 convenience store locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. While operating under its mission of making people’s lives simpler and more enjoyable, RaceTrac stores offer guests an affordable one-stop-shop featuring a wide selection of food and beverage favorites, including Swirl World frozen desserts, freshly ground, freshly brewed coffee and competitively priced fuel.

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Media Contact:
Jim Taylor
jtaylor@fulltiltconsulting.com