JJ's Journey for a Cause

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320 Vintage Point Lane, Wendell NC

Sunday, May 31st, 2026

🎉 Event Celebration

Join us in celebrating our sweet angel's 5th birthday! We can't think of any better way to honor JJ than to participate in a 5K in his memory. Doesn't matter if you run or walk, just get outside and move your feet #forJJ! We invite you to stay and hang out after the race to celebrate JJ's birthday - we will have music, snacks, balloons, and entertainment!

💖 Charity Support

All proceeds will go to First Candle, an organization that works to help bereaved families and hoping to bring an end to SIDS.

🌈 Our Story

In November of 2021 we unexpectedly lost our 5 month old son, JJ. He was a perfectly healthy and happy baby, thriving and enjoying life. What started as a typical Friday morning for our family changed completely when we got the call that JJ had gone down for his morning nap at daycare and did not wake up. We did everything we were supposed to do and unfortunately have no answers to what caused this tragedy. To honor our son and in hopes to help prevent this from happening to other families in the future, we are working to raise money for research for SIDS.

🏁 Race Details

Cost: 5 Miler $50 per person
Cost: 5K $30 per person
Note: Price increase 30 days prior to race day
Ages 5 and under: Free (won't receive a bib for timing)

👦👧 Kids Fun Run

This year we will be adding a kids fun run as a part of our event. This race will be geared towards elementary school-aged kids, ideally ages 5-12. It will take place on a much shorter course (less than one mile). Kids will be sprinkled with color powder while running to create a fun "color run" experience!!

🏆 Awards

Awards this year are being presented by Pace Yourself Run Company! A new local running store in Wendell, NC.

Awards will be presented to: Top 3 male & female finishers overall
Awards will be presented to: Top male & female finisher in each age division 1-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.

👕 T-Shirt Registration Deadline

DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR GUARANTEED T-SHIRT SIZE IS MAY 9, 2026!!!

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!!! We will need to have everyone's requested shirt sizes about a month in advance in order to know how many of each size to order and allow time for production.

Sizes Available: Adult S-XXL, Youth XS-XL.

📦 Packet Pick Up

There will be two options for packet pick up prior to race day. The first packet pick up will be held Thursday June 4th from 5-7 p.m. at Pace Yourself run store in downtown Wendell. The second packet pick up will be held Friday June 5th from 5-8 p.m. at the Farmhouse Cafe in Wendell Falls. If you are not able to attend either of the pre-race packet pick up dates we will also be offering packet pick up on race day but you must arrive early!

5 Miler Race: 7:00 a.m. on Saturday June 6th.
5K Race: 8:00 a.m.
Packet pick up: 6:00am-7:00am (Really suggest either picking up the night before or one of the other times during the week if you are local)
Kids fun run: 6:00 p.m. Friday Night. This will be a glow run the night before.

🌍 Virtual 5K

We will also be offering a virtual option for people who would like to participate in JJ's Journey but are not local. You will complete your 3.1 miles anytime between June 1st - June 7th and submit your time to the RaceJoy app.