4th annual Skyway 10K to go virtual due to COVID-19, registration opens Wednesday
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Plans for physical event to return in 2022 with perks for 2021 virtual participants
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The 4th annual Skyway 10K, which benefits the Armed Forces Families Foundation, is scheduled to take place virtually this March and will not have a physical race this year due to circumstances related to COVID-19.
Additionally, the first 2,000 registrants for the 2021 virtual race will be able to bypass next year’s lottery system and have the opportunity to register for the 5th Annual Skyway 10K in 2022. Assuming, the 2022 Skyway 10K Bridge Run is allowed to proceed as an in-person run, please note that the registration fees for the 2021 race will not apply to next year’s race registration fee.
The 4th Annual Skyway 10K can be completed virtually anytime from March 6 through March 31. It is open to the first 2,500 people to register. Participants will receive the ability to print off a race bib, run a 10K race on a treadmill or anywhere they’re legally allowed to run, print off a completion certificate, and receive a medal and a shirt. (The 4th annual Skyway 10K taking place in 2021 is a virtual event and participants may only complete a 10K anywhere pedestrians are legally allowed. Pedestrians are NOT permitted to be on a limited access roadway, which includes I-275 and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.)
Those interested in participating can register at Skyway10K.com beginning Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m.. As usual, the entire cost of registration will be donated to the Armed Forces Families Foundation. The Skyway 10K is unique in that every dollar from registration is donated to the Armed Forces Families Foundation.
“First and foremost, we want to thank everyone who has supported our men and women in uniform by being a part of the Skyway 10K in years past,” said Nick Peters, executive director of the Armed Forces Families Foundation. “We’re pleased to announce that the 3rd Annual Skyway 10K generated $642,880 in donations to the Armed Forces Families Foundation through registration dollars, and that money goes to help military families across the southeast U.S.”
Each year, a sizable portion of the annual donations received by the Armed Forces Families Foundation is received through the Skyway 10K.
“Due to COVID-19, our priority is the safety and well-being of our participants, volunteers, and staff,” said Peters. “While we won’t be able to take in the extraordinary views from the top of the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge this year, we’re hopeful that people will be excited to participate in this event virtually and safely support our armed forces and their families.”
To date, the Armed Forces Families Foundation has raised more than $4.8 million to benefit military families through the completion of building permanent or semi-permanent infrastructure projects for military members, veterans and their families. Moreover, 100 percent of donations to the Armed Forces Families Foundation is used for actual project costs, with none of those dollars funding the overhead for the 100 percent volunteer organization.
Recent projects include:
- $38,980 to replace a pedestrian bridge at the Bay Pines CW Bill Young VA Medical Center in Bay Pines, Florida. The project consisted of demolishing an old walking bridge that had been closed for more than four years due to safety concerns and replacing it with a new bridge. The replacement of the bridge extended the existing walking trail, which is enjoyed by veterans receiving care at the hospital and their family members.
- $214,000 to fund the interior buildout of a new USO center at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia. The USO at Fort Benning provides service members and their families with a home away from home and a place to relax and connect while off duty. USO centers provide a warm and comforting place where service members can connect to loved ones via Internet or phone, play a video game, catch a movie, have a snack or just put their feet up and relax.
- $69,048 to renovate Liberty Manor for Veterans, a non-profit organization serving homeless and disabled veterans in Tampa, Florida. Funds donated by AFFF were used to demolish an existing structure, which lacked code and hurricane safety requirements, and to complete the construction of a screened in lanai meeting hall area, which provides a place for entertainment and socializing for the veterans they serve. The renovation also included a new concrete slab, roof, reinforced walls, windows, doors, electrical and fresh paint. According to Liberty Manor, the center has successfully transitioned over 1,000 homeless and disabled veterans over the last 11 years. The center typically serves up to 50 homeless and disabled veterans at a given time.
- $46,572 to upgrade an existing on guests at the site internet cafe and add a second location for patients and Bay Pines CW Bill Young VA Medical Center in Bay Pines, Florida. The upgrades included equipping the space with new computers, Sony Playstations, printers, monitors and more.
Anyone interested in sponsoring the Skyway 10K should contact info@skyway10k.com.
It is important to note, while the 5th annual Skyway 10K is planned to take place in 2022, if it does not occur, those who register for the 4th annual Skyway 10K with the understanding that they could bypass the lottery, will not receive any sort of reimbursement or compensation, should the 5th 10K be canceled or be unable to be held due to any circumstance.
About Armed Forces Families Foundation:
The Armed Forces Families Foundation, together with participating Taco Bell restaurants, are proud supporters of America's armed forces and their families. Since 2006, the Armed Forces Families Foundation has raised and given back more than $ 4.87 million to fund and develop infrastructure projects that help the families of our service men and women. One hundred percent of every dollar raised goes directly toward projects to help the families of those who protect our freedom. Fo r more information, please visit ArmedForcesFamilies.org.
