To support the ongoing fight against drunk driving and drugged driving, thousands of people will walk and run during the 12th Annual UKG Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K presented by the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County. The event includes an in-person race on Sunday, April 30 starting near Huizenga Plaza in Fort Lauderdale, plus a virtual participation option.
Festivities will include children’s activities, an awards ceremony, live musical performances, and vendor/educational booths. The event will be attended by dignitaries including Walk Like MADD Fort Lauderdale Founder and Honorary Chairperson Heather Geronemus, MADD National President and Walk Like MADD Fort Lauderdale Honorary Co-Chair Tess Rowland, and Major Robert Chandler of Florida Highway Patrol. MADD announced Rowland as the national president on Feb. 6, 2023. Rowland is an American Heritage School alumna.
Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K is a community-driven 5K that raises awareness about drunk driving and underage drinking while uniting community members around MADD’s mission. Since it was established in 2011, this event has raised more than $3.5 million that stays in the South Florida community to save lives and support victims of drunk driving, making it the most successful grassroots fundraiser in the history of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Every dollar donated remains in South Florida to provide victim services and prevention education at no cost.
“We are pleased to continue to hold this important event, which raises both awareness and funds to eliminate drunk and drugged driving and provide free victim services and prevention education in South Florida,” said Geronemus, who is also the immediate past chairwoman of the MADD National Board of Directors. “Every 48 minutes, someone in this country is killed by a drunk driver but we all have the power to stop that from happening.” Geronemus’ late father, Dr. Robert Perry Geronemus, was struck and killed by a drunk driver in 2009.
Event sponsors include Signature Sponsor UKG; Presenting Sponsor Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County; Corporate Champion Sponsors Sheriff’s Office of Broward County, Florida Highway Patrol, Memorial Healthcare System, BBX Capital, Miami Dolphins Foundation and Durée & Company; Spotlight Sponsors Office Depot and Westway Towing; and MADD Milestone Sponsors Baptist Health and Brinkley Morgan.
When:
Sunday, April 30, 2023; 7:30 a.m.
Where:
In-person Race:
Across from Huizenga Plaza
SE 1st Avenue and Las Olas Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33301
Virtual Walk/Run:
Any place the participant chooses.
Costs (In-person and Virtual):
Adult 5K Runner and Walker: $35
Youth 5K Runner and Walker (ages 5-18): $30
Dogs: $10
How:
To register for the in-person or virtual 12th Annual UKG 2023 Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K presented by the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County, visit www.walklikemadd.org/fortlauderdale.
Event sponsorships are available. Awards will be given for top fundraiser, top team (private and corporate), as well as overall and age-group awards for 5K finishers.
For the most up-to-date event information, visit www.facebook.com/MADDDashFortLaud. Please contact Rachel Stephens, Special Events Manager, rachel.stephens@madd.org with any additional questions.
ABOUT MADD
Founded by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking. MADD also supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every nine minutes through local MADD victim advocates and at 1-877-MADD-HELP. In South Florida, the chapter’s annual Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K has raised more than $3.5 million since 2011. MADD’s Broward and Palm Beach chapters facilitate hundreds of free events each year to educate youth and parents on the dangers and consequences of impaired driving. Learn more at www.madd.org or by calling 1-877-ASK-MADD.
