Town of Tioga Ready to Go the Distance

Courtesy of Tioga Town Center

The community of Town of Tioga will immerse itself in a benefit on Saturday.

The community just east of Jonesville on Newberry Road will host the inaugural “Run for Haven” to benefit Haven Hospice. The run will weave through the neighborhood and the paths surrounding it.

But this benefit features much than a 5K and 10K run.

Tioga residents will be competing in a contest to see who can decorate their lawn and balcony the best during the run. And after the run, an outdoor party will commence at Tioga Town Center, featuring the Rick Gordon Band, booths from the Town Center stores and catering from Adam’s Rib Company, Domino’s Pizza and Burkhardt Distributing. Registration for the “Run for Haven” starts at 2 p.m., and the run will begin at 4:30.

Catering and entertainment at the block party have all been donated, which means 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Haven Hospice and its many programs.

“We are very pleased at the turnout this far and grateful for the support from the community,” said Jenni Williams, communications coordinator for Haven Hospice.

According to Williams, about 250 people have signed up for the run so far, but she expects 600 people to show up Saturday.

It’s not just residents of Town of Tioga who have signed up to run, but also people with connections to the University of Florida, local public schools, running groups like the Gainesville Track Club and other members of the community.

Williams said the run is a first for Haven Hospice. “It’s targeting a new audience,” she said.

Grace Lambert-Horvath, director of marketing and leasing at the Tioga Town Center, said Saturday’s festivities “made perfect sense for everyone. We get to play up on the design and location of the new town square at the gateway to Town of Tioga.”

Tickets for just the outdoor party cost $15. For those who want to run in the event, the cost is $45, which includes a T-shirt, food and drink and attendance at the party, according to Williams. While online registration ended on Wednesday, people can still sign up to run Saturday, starting at 2 p.m.

For more information about the event, go to http://www.RunForHaven.org

By Gainesville Sun
Correspondent
5:36 pm, March 19, 2010

Sarah Clark