Shoney’s® Hosts Nashville’s Premiere Annual Gathering at 9th Annual
5K Family Fun Run, Walk & FREE Festival on May 13th at Nissan Stadium
America’s favorite red, white and blue restaurant brand is putting its emphasis on the blue with Nashville’s premiere annual event — the 9th Annual Shoney’s 5k Family Fun Run, Walk & Festival – which benefits its hometown men and women in blue: Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
On Saturday, May 13th at Nissan Stadium, the day will start with a race and in what has become a Nashville family tradition. The event will feature a FREE festival with something for the entire family after the race. The Family Fun Run & Festival will be based in Nissan Stadium’s Lot T, which is adjacent to the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge.
“For 70 years, Shoney’s has been about food, family and fun and without our police officers, none of those things would be possible,” said Shoney’s Chairman and CEO, Mr. Davoudpour, who for the past eight years has personally matched all funds for the event, which has raised nearly $200,000 for the MNPD during that time. “I am absolutely committed to our hometown of Nashville and the men and women who keep our city safe and I can’t wait to roll out the Shoney’s red carpet for the families of Music City.”
Registration for the run will begin at 7 a.m. and the 5K will start at 8 a.m. The 3.1-mile scenic run starts and ends on the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and is highlighted by parts of historic downtown, the Country Music Hall of Fame, Music City Center, Bridgestone Arena, Musica Statue and Music Row. There will be a Kids’ Fun Run/Walk following the race at 9 a.m. All times are CST. A registration form is available at 5krun.shoneys.com.
At the conclusion of the 5K, a buffet breakfast will be served in Lot T as part of one of the best post-race festivals in the city, all courtesy of Shoney’s. The festival will feature an awards presentation, live music, random drawings, the display of police vehicles & equipment, and special activities for children (face painting, giant inflatables, games, a balloon artist and an appearance by Shoney Bear). Complimentary beverages and fruit will be available for runners at the finish line.
“This annual event has proven to be a great family experience that affords an opportunity for folks of all ages to meet Nashville’s police officers while viewing a variety of our resources, including a helicopter, police horses, SWAT gear, Bomb Disposal Robot and specially equipped vehicles,” Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson said. “We are extremely grateful to Shoney’s and its tremendous leader Mr. David Davoudpour for sponsoring this event for the ninth consecutive year.”
The Nashville Police Support Fund, a component of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, was established primarily to help defray costs for officers working to complete higher education degrees. Through the generosity of Davoudpour, nearly $200,000 has been raised for the fund since the 5K Family Fun Run, Walk & Festival began in 2009. Dozens of officers have received higher education grants from the fund over the past three years.
The entry fee is $25 through March 31, $30 April 1 – May 12 and $35 on the day of the event. Teams of 3 or more are $20 per person. The entry fee for Shoney’s employees is $10, $25 for police cadets and $5 for students ages 11-18. Kids 10 & under are free. All pre-registered participants who register by April 1, 2017 will receive a commemorative t-shirt. Online registration closes on May 12th at 5 p.m. CST. Walk-up registration available on race day beginning at 7 a.m. CST.
Prizes for the 5K top finishers in the male and female categories are $500 cash. Male and female first place winners in each age category will receive a $25 Shoney’s gift card. Second place winners in each age category will receive a $10 Shoney’s gift card. The age categories include 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and up.
