Run for Your Life *Walk/Run* 5K
- Date Sat 21st February 2026
- Time 8:00AM EST
- Location Athens, Georgia
- Price $33.75
- Races 2 races
- Distances 5km
Event summary
Join us for the inspirational "Run for Your Life" 5K event on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Tate Plaza in Athens. This unique memorial run honors the life of Laken Hope Riley, a vibrant 22-year-old nursing student whose passion for life and running left a lasting impact on her community. Laken's spirit continues to shine brightly as participants come together to celebrate her legacy and promote safety awareness for women, support for nursing students, and children's healthcare through the Laken Hope Foundation.
The day will kick off with check-in and registration starting at 7:00 AM, followed by a heartfelt welcome and moment of silence. The 5K walk/run will officially begin at 8:00 AM, allowing everyone to come together in fellowship, worship, and prayer. After the race, enjoy light refreshments during the post-race gathering before the public memorial service begins at 10:00 AM. With a lineup of speakers, including Laken's family and community leaders, this event promises to be a powerful reminder of hope, faith, and the importance of running our own race with purpose. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor Laken’s memory and contribute to meaningful causes that she cared for deeply!
The day will kick off with check-in and registration starting at 7:00 AM, followed by a heartfelt welcome and moment of silence. The 5K walk/run will officially begin at 8:00 AM, allowing everyone to come together in fellowship, worship, and prayer. After the race, enjoy light refreshments during the post-race gathering before the public memorial service begins at 10:00 AM. With a lineup of speakers, including Laken's family and community leaders, this event promises to be a powerful reminder of hope, faith, and the importance of running our own race with purpose. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor Laken’s memory and contribute to meaningful causes that she cared for deeply!
Organiser's Description
Run For Your Life 5K is a memorial run honoring the life of Laken Hope Riley. On February 22, 2024, Laken, a 22-year-old nursing student, went for a run on UGAs campus and never returned home. She loved life, running, and Jesus, and many remember her for faithfully running her race with Christ. Though her life was taken far too soon, Laken continues to bring hope. This run unites Athens to be bold in their faith, to run for their lives, and to love as she loved.
_THE MEMORIAL SERVICE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND WILL BEGIN AT 10AM AND END AT 12PM. SHIRT SIZE GUARANTEED TO THOSE REGISTERED BEFORE FEBRUARY 14TH, 2026. ALL THOSE REGISTERING AFTER WILL RECEIVE A SHIRT IN THEIR SIZE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. _
Join us at Tate Plaza for fellowship, worship, prayer, and a message from her family as we honor Lakens life and pray for the safety of the Athens community.
MAJORITY OF FUNDS RAISED WILL GO TO THE LAKEN HOPE FOUNDATION. THE LAKEN HOPE FOUNDATION HONORS LAKEN RILEY BY SUPPORTING CAUSES SHE LOVED: SAFETY AWARENESS FOR WOMEN, AID AND TUITION FOR NURSING STUDENTS, AND CHILDRENS HEALTHCARE. LAKEN WAS A BELOVED FRIEND, SISTER, DAUGHTER, AND FAITHFUL FOLLOWER OF CHRIST WHOSE LIFE WAS TRAGICALLY CUT SHORT ON FEBRUARY 22, 2024. OUR MISSION IS TO PROMOTE SAFETY AND HOPE FOR WOMEN, KEEPING HER SPIRIT ALIVE.
WEBSITE: lakenhopefoundation.com [http://lakenhopefoundation.com]
_MEMORIAL SERVICE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RACE ADMISSION IS NOT REQUIRED._
SCHEDULE:
7:00 -7:30 AM | Check in & Registration |
7:40 - 7:50 AM |Welcome | Prayer | Reflection and Moment of Silence
7:55 - 8:00 AM | Race Instructions & Blessings | Send Off
8:00 - 9:30 AM | Walk/Run in Progress |
9:30 - 10:00 AM | Post-Race Gathering | Light Refreshments | Community Fellowship
MEMORIAL SERVICE BEGINS. (OPEN TO PUBLIC)
10:00am Laken Rileys Family
10:15am Mike Collins Q&A (Authored the Laken Riley Act)
10:30am Pastor Derek Anglin of New Grace Church "RUN FOR YOUR LIFE"
11:00-12:00 Worship and Closing Words
_I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH._
2 Timothy 4:7
_THE MEMORIAL SERVICE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND WILL BEGIN AT 10AM AND END AT 12PM. SHIRT SIZE GUARANTEED TO THOSE REGISTERED BEFORE FEBRUARY 14TH, 2026. ALL THOSE REGISTERING AFTER WILL RECEIVE A SHIRT IN THEIR SIZE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. _
Join us at Tate Plaza for fellowship, worship, prayer, and a message from her family as we honor Lakens life and pray for the safety of the Athens community.
MAJORITY OF FUNDS RAISED WILL GO TO THE LAKEN HOPE FOUNDATION. THE LAKEN HOPE FOUNDATION HONORS LAKEN RILEY BY SUPPORTING CAUSES SHE LOVED: SAFETY AWARENESS FOR WOMEN, AID AND TUITION FOR NURSING STUDENTS, AND CHILDRENS HEALTHCARE. LAKEN WAS A BELOVED FRIEND, SISTER, DAUGHTER, AND FAITHFUL FOLLOWER OF CHRIST WHOSE LIFE WAS TRAGICALLY CUT SHORT ON FEBRUARY 22, 2024. OUR MISSION IS TO PROMOTE SAFETY AND HOPE FOR WOMEN, KEEPING HER SPIRIT ALIVE.
WEBSITE: lakenhopefoundation.com [http://lakenhopefoundation.com]
_MEMORIAL SERVICE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RACE ADMISSION IS NOT REQUIRED._
SCHEDULE:
7:00 -7:30 AM | Check in & Registration |
7:40 - 7:50 AM |Welcome | Prayer | Reflection and Moment of Silence
7:55 - 8:00 AM | Race Instructions & Blessings | Send Off
8:00 - 9:30 AM | Walk/Run in Progress |
9:30 - 10:00 AM | Post-Race Gathering | Light Refreshments | Community Fellowship
MEMORIAL SERVICE BEGINS. (OPEN TO PUBLIC)
10:00am Laken Rileys Family
10:15am Mike Collins Q&A (Authored the Laken Riley Act)
10:30am Pastor Derek Anglin of New Grace Church "RUN FOR YOUR LIFE"
11:00-12:00 Worship and Closing Words
_I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH._
2 Timothy 4:7
Races
-
Memorial 5K Run/Walk in Honor of Laken Riley
Incl. $3.75 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 21st February 2026 (8:00AM EST)
$33.75
CLOSED -
Virtual 5K
Incl. $3.75 Fee & T-Shirt
$33.75
CLOSED
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809 South Lumpkin Street, Athens, 30605, GA, United States
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Run for Your Life *Walk/Run* 5K
