Run with PoVa Sunday to help kids in need

PoVa Therapeutic Riding Center is hoping to raise $10,000 with their second annual 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, March 1.

The event will begin at 8 a.m. and will be held at Road Runner Sports San Diego at 5553 Copley Drive in San Diego. The run/walk itself will kick off at 9 a.m.

This is a family fun event and has no chip timing and no street closures.

PoVa has already raised almost $7,000 toward their goal, which will go to helping pay program fees for riding lessons for adults and kids with disabilities. “(The riders) pay about 40 percent of the cost (of the program), and donations and fundraising covers the rest,” said Kyle Roloff, program and equine coordinator for PoVa.

“It’s designed to be a family fun event,” said Roloff. “Road Runner does a great job setting up.” While things are still being finalized, Roloff said they were thinking about having a blow-up basketball court and music at the event as well.

Last year’s inaugural 5K raised about $4,000 and had 70 participants, Roloff said.

The cost of the race is $35 for adults, $20 for children ages 6-18 and free for children under the age of 5. All participants will receive a T-shirt included in the registration fee. All participants who are signed up and present the day of the run, will automatically be entered into a free drawing for the chance to win a gift certificate to SkyDive San Diego, for one tandem sky dive.

The cost to register at the event will be $5 extra.

All participants must register with unique email addresses, including children.

Top fundraisers will also be entered to win several other prizes, including a free riding lesson for every $250 raised.

Fundraisers under 21 can earn a trip with a friend to go skiing or snowboarding if they raise over $1,700. Those that are 21 and older can earn a fine tequila pairing and Mexican dinner if they raise over $2,000.

To register for the run/walk or to donate, visit https://roadrunnersports.fundly.com/2ndpova5k.