Purple Up! 5K & Fun Run

🏃‍♂️ Race Overview

Join us for the 3rd annual Purple Up! 5K run/walk on Friday April 11, 2025 at Lake Okatibbee!

🎖️ Military Child Awareness

• Purpose: April is Month of the Military Child, a time to honor the sacrifices and strength of all military children.
• Symbolism: The color purple symbolizes a combination of all branches of the military- Air Force blue, Army green, Navy blue, Marine red, and Coast Guard blue.
• Support: Purple Up! Day is a special day set aside for all to wear purple to support and thank military children in the community and around the world.
• Invitation: We invite everyone to wear purple to show your support!

🏅 Event Details

• Organizer: Join WLHS National Honor Society and WLHS Stars & Stripes Club in a 5K run/walk at Lake Okatibbee.
• Contributions: Contributions will benefit military families at school and in the community.
• Fun Run: In addition to the 5K, there will be a shorter distance fun run for those 10 and younger.
• Course: This will be a loop course with water stations along the way.

👕 Participant Information

• Registration Perks: All 5K and Fun Run participants will receive a t-shirt and medal with registration.
• Deadline: T-shirts not guaranteed if registering after 3/19/25.
• Regulations: All participants and spectators are subject to Title 36 rules and regulations.
• Restrictions: No alcohol use on the premises. Pets are not allowed to participate in the race. Spectator pets must remain on a leash at all times per Title 36.

🕔 Schedule

• Registration and Packet Pick-up: 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
• Race Start: 5:30 PM
• Fun Run: To follow completion of the 5K
• Awards Ceremony: 6:30 PM

🏆 Awards

• Categories: Fastest Overall Male and Female, Fastest Male and Female 10 and under (Fun Run), Fastest Male and Female Middle School Student, Fastest Male and Female High School Student.
• Age Divisions: Fastest Male and Female in age categories: 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+.
• Faculty Award: Fastest Male and Female West Lauderdale School Faculty member!
• Timing Note: Please note, this race will not be officially timed. We encourage all runners/walkers to keep track of their own time and use the race clock at the start/finish line.

📍 Location

Race Start: East Bank Park. Follow the signs from the main entrance at the West Bank to the race start area.

East Bank Shelter - 8604 Okatibbee Dam Road
Collinsville, MS 39325

🌼 Military Child Tribute

The official flower of the military child is the dandelion:

Dandelions put down roots almost anywhere and it is almost impossible to destroy. It is an unpretentious plant, yet good looking. It is a survivor in a broad range of climates.

Military children bloom everywhere the winds carry them. They are hardy and upright. Their roots are strong, cultivated deeply in the culture of the Military, planted swiftly and surely. They’re ready to fly in the breezes that take them to new adventures, new lands, and new friends.

Military children are well-rounded, culturally aware, tolerant, and extremely resilient. They have learned from an early age that home is where their hearts are. That a good friend can be found in every corner of the world.

They learn that to survive means to adapt. That the door that closes one chapter of their life opens to a new and exciting adventure full of new friends and new experiences.

For more information, visit the race website: Purple Up! 5K & Fun Run.