Equestrian Events, Inc. to Host Twilight 5K Race in Conjunction With Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

 

100% Additional Donations to Benefit HORSES and HOPE Charity

Lexington, Kentucky - February 26, 2015 - Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover, has announced they will be hosting the inaugural RK-5K, a twilight 5K race  on Friday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Horse Park. The race, open to everyone, will be held in conjunction with the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event,which takes place April 23-26.

The RK-5Krace will feature a chip timed/competitive 5K run and there is also an untimed 1-Mile fun run/walk.  The course will begin at the Bourbon and Bridle Lounge and wind throughout the Park and different venues of the event. The Lounge will stay open late for participants to enjoy music, and a cash bar featuring Maker's Mark cocktails. All 5K participants will receive a commemorative RK-5K technical T-shirt and there will be overall and age group awards. Kids (under 12) participating in the fun run/walk will receive a finisher's medal. Runners/walkers with strollers and dogs on a leash are also welcomed to join in the fun!

"The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event brings in spectators from around the country and world, many of whom have already signed up for the 5K," said Lee Carter, executive director of EEI, which is headquartered at the Kentucky Horse Park. "The Horse Park is an ideal venue for a 5K, and like RK3DE itself, this run is shaping up to be a really fun, diverse experience. A great addition to the 'Best Weekend All Year.'"

Early bird registration for the RK-5K is $27 until Feb. 28, after which pricing increases to $30. Registration for the 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk is $10.  Details and registration can be found at: https://runsignup.com/Race/KY/Lexington/rk5k. If you would like to be involved with the RK-5K but don't want to participate in the races, we encourage you to volunteer! There are many opportunities available and the success of the race depends on the commitment and enthusiasm of race day volunteers!

HORSES and HOPE is the official charity of this year's Rolex Kentucky Three-Day

Event and will be the charitable beneficiary for the race with 100% of proceeds of anyadditional donations to the RK-5K going to this worthwhile charity. Whether $5, $10, $25 or more, your donation will make a big difference!!

 

The mission of Horses and Hope is to work alongside the state's equine industry to provide breast cancer awareness, education, screenings, and treatment referrals. Since the program was founded in 2008, Horses and Hope  has reached nearly 1 million race track and horse show attendees, and educated  nearly 16,000 equine employees. The program has screened nearly 700 workers and detected breast cancer in three individuals who have all received treatment.

This January, Horses and Hope announced a new partnership with KentuckyOne Health, the James Graham Brown Cancer Center at the University of Louisville and the Kentucky Cancer Program, to raise $1 million for a new mobile cancer screening van equipped to screen for seven different cancers.  This new van will help Horses and Hope expand beyond the equine industry to provide education, resource referral and screenings to at-risk populations across the Commonwealth.  All of the funds raised for Horses and Hope during the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event will go toward the new cancer screening unit. For more information, please visit http://www.horsesandhope.org.

Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) is a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event which quickly evolved into what is today the only Four Star three-day event in the western hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover.

The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover, is one of the world's most prestigious equestrian competitions and features the world's best horses and riders vying for their share of $300,000 in prize money as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, which is awarded to any rider who wins the Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four Star Events in succession. The 2015 Event is also an official selection trial for the US Eventing Team and will help determine which US riders will be chosen to compete at the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, next July.

Tickets for the 2015 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event - including tailgating spots and hospitality packages - are on sale now at www.RK3DE.org. Advanced ticket sales are available through March 2, 2015, with gate prices taking effect on March 3. Tickets sell quickly, so be sure to go online and order yours now.

For more information on the 2015 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover, please visit the Rolex Kentucky website at www.RK3DE.org or call 859-233-2362. Tickets may be ordered on line or by calling 859-254-8123.