MANSFIELD — Runners will descend upon downtown Mansfield for the annual Liwiro La Malawi 5K on Saturday, April 1.
Money raised from this race will support the feeding program at the Kanyenyeva Orphan Care Ministry in Malawi, Africa.
Liwiro la Malawi means “We run for Malawi.”
According to Ken Ekegren, president of the Malawi Orphan Care Project, approximately 600 orphans are provided lunch at least four days a week thanks to the feeding program. For many, this is the only meal they get each day.
Efforts like this are especially beneficial for Malawians, the majority of whom (between 55 and 74 percent) live in extreme poverty.
Malawians have also had to contend with famine. Droughts and floods that devastated the country have caused poor crop yields over the last two years, Ekegren said.
The Malawi Orphan Care Project works in partnership with the Kanyenyeva Orphan Care Ministry to not only help provide meals to those in need, but also support students in their education by giving out scholarships. Read more about the ministries here.
Race-day registration will be held at All Believers in Christ Church at 23 N. Main St. from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. There’s also the option of registering online. Registration costs $20 before March 18 and $25 thereafter.
The race begins at 10 a.m.
Awards will be given to the top two males and females, as well as top two males and females from each age group. The age groups are 10 and under, 11 to 14, 15 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 and over.
Results will be posted at www.ohioraceday.com.
