The Freed to Run Challenge on Nov. 23-24 met its $180,000 fundraising goal, including a $25,000 match from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.
Nearly 150 participants made financial pledges and then ran, jogged, walked or pushed strollers for 12 or 24 hours on a half-mile loop around the Duval County Courthouse.
A 5K run and a 35-mile bicycle ride from the St. Johns County Courthouse in St. Augustine to the Duval County Courthouse also are elements of the annual event.
Gunster shareholder Mike Freed founded Freed to Run in 2016.
Sponsorships, donations and pledges to the event benefit Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s Shelter for Elders Endowment, which supports the growing number of people more than 60 years of age who are seeking help with housing issues like reverse mortgage foreclosures, scams, wrongful evictions and discrimination.
In the 24-hour team event, the Harrell & Harrell law firm finished in first place with 171 laps (85.5 miles) completed.
In the individual 24-hour challenge, Regina Sooey finished first in the women’s division with 84 laps. Ryan Emilio was first place among the men with 169 laps recorded.
In the 12-hour event, Kiwi All Stars won the team competition with 151 laps; Brandi Belew finished the most laps among the women with 94; and Michael Ruby was first among the men with 29 laps completed.
Brett Winney finished first among the men in the 5K at 21:37. Grace Guy was the first woman across the finish line with a time of 24:25.
Visit freedtorun.com to make a post-event donations.