BELLVILLE, Ohio — Citi Church hosted their second-annual Run For Their Lives 5K Race on Saturday, drawing a small group of racers from the area. The 5K raised $800 for human trafficking awareness programs, among other causes.
Citi Church’s pastor Micah Pelkey said he became aware of human sex trafficking when he attended Champions Centre in Seattle, Washington.
“When I heard that 9 and 13-year-olds were being taken for sex trafficking I just wanted to bring awareness to the area. We need to bring awareness,” said Pelkey. Somberly, Pelkey added, “And Toledo is one of the top cities in America for sex trafficking.”
According to Ohio Trafficking in Persons Study Commission estimates in 2008, Toledo was fourth in the nation in terms of arrests, investigations and rescue of domestic minor sex trafficking victims among U.S. cities. As of 2013, Toledo’s population is 282,313.
An estimated 1,078 children are forced into human sex trafficking per year — and another 3,000 are at risk, according to the Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force was formed in 2012 by Governor John Kasich and consists of eleven state agencies.
Runners lined up on Mock Road in Bellville to run the race at 9 a.m. Saturday morning. From Mock Road, they continued onto Ritter Road, turned back and finished in Citi Church’s parking lot where volunteers, friends and family greeted them with snacks and cheers.
Clear Fork High School sophomore Alex McKinley, 16, finished first in 20 minutes and 41 seconds.
“I’m in soccer season right now so we do a lot of running. And I like doing 5Ks whenever I can, it’s a good thing,” said McKinley as he caught his breath after the race.
Finishing second and third were Will Connell, 10, and Peyton, 9, Hoskins.
Organizer Ray Hoskins categorized the race into different age brackets for men and women runners: 18 and under, 19-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60 and 61 and above. Around 20 community members participated in the 5K, a fewer number of participants than last year, said Hoskins.
“We were going to have the race in July but we postponed it because of church scheduling conflicts,” explained Hoskins. “I think the rain and cold weather is holding off some people this time. But for those that made it, they’ll get a green shirt and a chance to go out and get in shape.”
Proceeds from this year’s 5K will be donated to organizations fighting against human sex trafficking and Royal Family Kids camp, said Hoskins. Royal Family Kids camp is a week-long camp designed for foster children.
Last year the 5K raised nearly $11,000, said Hoskins. Most of the money went to support a safe house in Pickaway County for women recently rescued from sex trafficking.
For more information on the Run for Their Lives 5K Race and Royal Family Kids, visit their website.
“When I heard that 9 and 13-year-olds were being taken for sex trafficking I just wanted to bring awareness to the area. We need to bring awareness,” said Micah Pelkey.
