Approximately 300 runners and walkers descended on the Mauldin Cultural Center for the 4th Annual Peacock Strides for Babies on Saturday.
The family fun run and 5K, which also included a silent auction, raised approximately $30,000 for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) research, said Jodi Ware, the Mauldin mother of 5-month-old Emily "Peacock" Ware, who passed away from SIDS in 2009 and for whom the race is named.
Ware said since the race's inception it has raised $150,000 for the CJ Foundation, a New Jersey-based nonprofit. The stated goal of the organization is eliminating the tragedy of sudden unexpected infant deaths and early childhood deaths, supporting grieving families, advancing medical research, furthering parent and professional education, and advocating for the health and survival of all children.
The popular race, coordinated again this by year by Mauldin Sports Center director Jennifer Edwin, drew folks from all over the Upstate ad Golden Strip. Many were running or walking in memory of other infants and toddlers in our area and elsewhere who have died from SIDS. Along a section of the Cultural Center's driveway, photos of the children adorned signs honoring them (see photo gallery)
Ware, flanked by her family, thanked everyone for coming out and supporting the cause, and said, "you're helping to save babies and we're so grateful for your help."
The overall winner of the 5K was 18-year-old Addison Helms of Greenville, who ran an unofficial time of 18:02 minutes. The overall female winner was Michelle Mackey of Greenville, who ran an unofficial time of 24:40.
Patch will post full race results as soon as they become available.
In the meantime, check out our photo gallery of the event above. If you have photos of your own, we encourage you to share them.
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Hundreds Flock to Peacock Strides for Babies 5K (Photos)
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