Hundreds of Clark County residents will lace up their running shoes this weekend to raise money for those who need help paying their utilities bills.
Clark Public Utilities is hosting its second annual Race for Warmth on Sunday. About 650 people have already registered for the run — surpassing the nearly 600 people who ran the inaugural event.
“I was blown away by how many people want to come out to a run in January,” said Maxie Lofton, Clark Public Utilities communications coordinator.
But the timing of the event serves a purpose.
“We picked that time of year to emphasize: Imagine if you didn’t have electricity right now,” Lofton said. “We’re running for warmth.”
If You Go: Race for Warmth
What: Race for Warmth 5K and 10K runs, 5K walk and kids run.
When: Kids run at 8:30 a.m.; 10K at 9 a.m.; 5K run/walk at 9:15 a.m. Sunday.
Where: Clark Public Utilities, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver.
Cost: $30 for 5K and 10K. Kids run is free.
Registration: www.raceforwarmth.org through Saturday. Day-of-race registration beginning at 7 a.m.
The Race for Warmth features a 10K run, 5K run and 5K walk. The timed races begin at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Clark Public Utilities downtown Vancouver location. Before sending runners out on the course, there will be a free run for kids ages 3 to 8, led by Portland Winterhawks mascot Tom-A-Hawk.
Registration for the event is $30 and available online, www.raceforwarmth.org, through Saturday. The event will also offer day-of-race registration beginning at 7 a.m.
The event benefits Clark Public Utilities’ Operation Warm Heart program, which offers one-time grants to customers struggling to pay their electric bills. The program is fully funded by customer and employee donations.
The program uses different criteria than state and federal assistance programs and can fill the gap for people who don’t qualify for those programs, either because they make too much money or are experiencing a sudden financial crisis, Lofton said.
Households with income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level and with a utility balance of up to $300 are eligible for the program.
In 2015, the program helped 685 households with an average grant of $287 per household. About 10 percent of the grants issued last year came from money raised during the inaugural Race for Warmth event.
Last year’s event raised more than $20,000. This year’s event is on track to surpass that total, Lofton said.
Event sponsors have covered nearly all operating costs for the event, so nearly every dollar from registration fees will go directly to the program, Lofton said.
Area Heating & Cooling is the event’s lead sponsor. New Tradition Homes is providing long-sleeved sports-tech shirts for each participant. Participants can pick up a free pint of beer, provided by Trusty Brewing, and soup and bread from Beaches Restaurant at the event after-party. Columbia Credit Union is also giving participants a pint glass to take home.
The Race for Warmth also has an option for those who would rather sleep in on Sunday morning. “Sleep in and Stay Warm” donations can be made on the event website. In addition, Burgerville locations will be donating 100 percent of proceeds from hot beverage sales on Sunday to Operation Warm Heart.
Marissa Harshman: 360-735-4546; marissa.harshman@columbian.com; twitter.com/MarissaHarshman
