ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The second annual 30 for Freedom race kicked off Saturday morning, which aims to raise funds for victims of human trafficking.
Racers ran around a 3-mile course stretching from the Assembly church to Essex Park. The event started in earnest around 6 a.m. Saturday morning, though one dedicated runner began his trek at midnight Saturday morning.
Participants had the option to choose from a variety of course lengths, including a 5K, 10K, and half-marathon. The full race, a 30-mile course, is just a few miles more than a marathon’s 26.2 miles.
For Executive Pastor Jorden Johnson, those extra miles are symbolically intentional.
“The why behind running and extra distance or why leaving your comfort to a place of discomfort is just trying to show people around that there are people all around this world who are being victimized,” Johnson said. “And we want to be a voice for them, and we want to raise awareness for them and raise funds too.”
The event also offered an opportunity for weightlifters to get involved. Those who didn’t want to run could lift 30 tons, or split the difference, running 15 miles and lifting 15 tons.
According to Johnson, the event was originally started a decade ago in the Twin Cities. While this is only the second year of the Rochester chapter, the event is growing rapidly.
“Last year we had 130 participants, and this year we’re over 210 participants in the run,” Johnson said.
Last year’s race raised $77,000. While the total amount for this year will not be determined until much later, organizers hope to remain close to last year’s figure. However, each dollar is just as important as the next.
“They say for every $10 is raised, it pays for a day of aftercare for someone who has been victimized by sex trafficking or human trafficking,” Johnson said.
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