April 30, 2011
Inaugural April RAINN
Ledges Shelter, Peninsula, Ohio
After a month of rain, and record amounts of it in the greater Cleveland area, April 30 turned out to be one of the nicest days of the month. Sunny skies greeted more than 60 runners as they lined up for the inaugural April RAINN trail run, hosted by
Grunt Girl Racing.
"We hoped Mother Nature would cooperate with us for the event," Stacy Rhea, president of GGR and RD for the event. "Nice weather is a big plus on any race day, but especially for an inaugural event."
The month of April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the U.S. By hosting April RAINN, GGR helped raise public awareness about sexual violence. April RAINN is one of three events
GGR hosts. Proceeds from April RAINN and Shatter the Silence benefit the
Summit and Medina Race Crisis Center.
RAINN is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization.
"When we initially began developing this event and our August event, Shatter the Silence, we had no idea several girls on the team were survivors of sexual abuse," Rhea said. "As we began sharing race details with the team, the girls began sharing their stories with [us]." [Rhea and her business partner, Andrea Chisnell]
I too am a survivor, and I am not afraid to tell people." Rhea said. "I have kept my silence for more than 30 years. It's time to shatter the silence and help give a voice to women."
April RAINN Sponsors
Vertical Runner
Fitness Together
Century Cycles
Girls with Sole
Cleveland Plays Racing
For information about the Second annual Shatter the Silence,
click here.
