April 23, 2024
The 15th Annual RAP River Run is scheduled for June 8th at Sims Park in historic downtown New Port Richey and includes a 10K, 5K and Kid’s Adventure Fun Run. The race consistently draws thousands of elite and recreational runners, walkers, and health enthusiasts, and is recognized as one of Tampa Bay’s premier running events. The scenic course leads along the beautiful Cotee River, and Sims Park provides the perfect post-race venue where racers and thousands of community supporters, volunteers, vendors, and sponsors convene and celebrate the run. The Presenting Sponsor, Spring Engineering, has provided unwavering support for the event since the race began 15 years ago.
Over the 14 prior years, RAP River Run has raised over $1.3 million to support the needs of Youth and Family Alternatives’ RAP House for at-risk, runaway and homeless youth, located in New Port Richey. The money raised has been used for construction of shelter and recreational enhancements and upgrades to create a healthy, homelike, safe, and welcoming environment for the youth residing at the shelter.
“It is hard to believe the success of RAP River Run and the difference it has made for the RAP House. We are so thankful for the hard-working committee members, the sponsors, vendors, volunteers and all the racers who come back year after year. It is truly an amazing community event that has made the difference in so many lives,” said Mark Wickham, President and CEO of Youth and Family Alternatives, Inc.
“From the first race, RAP River Run’s mission has been to give our children a pathway to hope, and the race has done this and so much more. The devotion of the committee, the support from the community, sponsors, vendors, volunteers and many racers make this a very special event to be part of,” said Victoria Barley, Chair of RAP River Run.
RRR welcomes new sponsors and vendors to join the fun and help make this year’s run the biggest! Information about the race, being a sponsor or vendor, can be found at www.rapriverrun.com. Registration for runners and walkers is at https://raceroster.com/events/2024/85191/rap-river-run-10k-5k-runwalk-and-kids-fun-run.
About Youth & Family Alternatives
For the past 54 years, Youth and Family Alternatives, Inc. (YFA) has been a prominent non-profit, community-based organization, providing foster care and adoption management, crisis youth shelters, DJJ prevention and diversion, in-school and evidence-based services and supportive housing for at-risk children, families, and individuals. YFA’s administrative office and the RAP Shelter are in New Port Richey, and our services now cover multiple communities in the Tampa Bay Area. Annually, YFA serves over 4,000 at-risk individuals and families and is a top performing agency across the Tampa Bay region. YFA’s mission is “to work in a collaborative partnership with families and communities to establish and maintain a nurturing and safe environment for children” and we are committed to supporting and strengthening the families we are privileged to serve. The Rap River Run has provided so much for YFA and demonstrates to our youth that they are seen and are a worthy and valuable part of our community.
At YFA, “Family” is our middle name. For more information, visit www.yfainc.org or contact Donna Krauser, VP of Communications, dkrauser@yfainc.org.
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