The fifth annual Gwinnett Life Run will be held in Lawrenceville, at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. Now the second-biggest road race in Gwinnett, the Gwinnett Life Run benefits the Pregnancy Resource Center of Gwinnett (PRCG) and Southern Gwinnett Young Life, two non-profit, Christian-based organizations that serve citizens young and old, men and women.
“Community-wise it’s the biggest community event that we have,” said Robin Mauck, executive director of the Pregnancy Resource Center of Gwinnett. “We’re real excited to be at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds this year. We had it at Brookwood High School the last two years, but we grew out of that location.
“It’s going to be a great time.”
The Gwinnett Life Run consists of 1-mile, 5K and 10K races (both the 5K and 10K are run on a USATF Certified Course) and serves as a Peachtree Road Race Qualifier. There will be ChronoTrack Chip Timing, age group awards, and a chance to win Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich meals for a year. And near the finish line will be the free Family Fun Zone for children 12 and under featuring activities and inflatables.
And since the event’s presenting sponsor is Chick-fil-A Scenic Highway in Snellville, you can be sure that a few of those famous white and black cows that can’t spell will be milling about as well.
“One of the big draws is that it’s a Chick-fil-A race, and to be connected to that brand is great for us and other businesses,” Mauck said.
Those interested in participating can register online by going to www.gwinnettliferun.com or by visiting the Chick-fil-A Scenic Highway (1559 Scenic Highway N, Snellville) on March 5 from 9 AM-1 PM and 5 PM-7 PM or on March 12 from 9 AM-1 PM and 5 PM-7 PM. Companies or organizations wishing to participate as a sponsor can do so by visiting the event’s web site and registering there, although that opportunity closes on March 4.
Also available is a Community Partnership Program, which offers churches and other organizations the opportunity to partner with the Gwinnett Life by marketing the race, providing a minimum of 8 volunteers and covering the cost of the volunteer shirts, and in turn they get a free booth in the Family Fun Zone.
For Mauck, the Gwinnett Life Run is a wonderful opportunity to gain exposure and educate citizens on the Pregnancy Resource Center and all that it provides, namely “to meet the needs of women at risk of an unintentional or crisis pregnancy, with the full affirmation of the sanctity of human life and marriage.”
“We feel it’s very important that it’s a woman’s right to be informed,” Mauck said. “We are the only medical clinic in Gwinnett County that provides free pregnancy tests, free ultrasounds and free STD testing.”
In 2015, the PRCG, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary, provided women with 590 free ultrasounds. Additionally, during that same time period, through education, support and prayer efforts, the PRCG saved 209 babies from being aborted, Mauck said.
Inside the PRCG red brick headquarters in Lawrenceville is a neat little “store,” where all types of baby necessities are available to women who participate in the organization’s “earn-while-they-learn” program. Every woman who enrolls in any of the educational classes offered at the PRCG earns “baby bucks,” which she can use to purchase everything from baby clothes to diapers to toys.
“We’ve had girls go through here who have never had to purchase a thing for their baby,” Mauck says proudly. “We supply maternity clothes, diapers, wipes and clothing up through 24 months. Women can earn a free car seat and a free layette set, which includes a sleeper, wipes, shampoo, lotion and other items that they need when they first take that baby home.”
“We’ve actually had a lot of clients who have had their babies then given items back.”
Mauck said that people are encouraged to donate new and gently used baby items as well as books and other items, which can be dropped off at the PRCG headquarters located at 337 W. Pike Street in Lawrenceville.
“We like to say the Gwinnett Life Run is saving lives from conception to graduation.” Mauck said.
For more information about the PRCG, visit www.prcg.org or call 770-338-1622, and for more information on Youth Life, visit www.younglife.org.
