Community members can now register for the annual Austin POWER 5K Run and Walk.
This year’s POWER 5K will happen Saturday, Sept. 17, at 5900 W. Chicago Ave. in Austin. The event will start at 8:30 a.m., with same-day registration happening at 7:30 a.m.
Individual registration costs $35 while groups of 10 costs $300. Community members can register at austinpower5k.com.
In an interview on Thursday, Austin businessman Malcolm Crawford, one of the lead organizers of the 5K, said planning this year’s race has been particularly difficult.
“Last year’s event was phenomenal,” he said. “Coming out of COVID, we didn’t expect to have 550 people to come out. It was really nice. But this year has been the most challenging year that we’ve done this.”
Crawford said several key personnel in the 15th District police department, one of the event’s partners, have moved to other positions.
Crawford said, despite the difficulties, the race is still true to its original intention, which was to honor survivors on the West Side who have overcome all kinds of difficulties, particularly physical ailments.
Crawford said Wintrust Bank’s sponsorship was critical for the annual event. The company bankrolled permit fees and other costs, which have skyrocketed the last year.
“Those of us who were sideline players have had to move up to the top and do the best we can to pull this off,” Crawford said. “But I’m excited. Rain or shine, the race will go on.”
CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com
