Purple Up! 5K & Fun Run

Event Overview

Join us for the 4th annual Purple Up! 5K run/walk on Friday April 10, 2025 at Lake Okatibbee!

Purpose of the Event

• Month of the Military Child: April is a time to honor the sacrifices and strength of all military children.
• Color Symbolism: The color purple symbolizes a combination of all branches of the military.
• Purple Up! Day: A special day for wearing purple to support military children in the community and worldwide.
• Community Support: Everyone is invited to wear purple to show their support!

Event Details

• Organizers: Join WLHS National Honor Society and WLHS Stars & Stripes Club.
• Contributions: Benefiting military families at school and in the community.
• Course: The event will be a loop course with water stations along the way.
• Fun Run: A shorter distance fun run for those 10 and younger will also take place.

Participant Registration

• Inclusions: All 5K and Fun Run participants will receive a dryfit performance t-shirt (if registered by 3/25) and a medal with registration.
• Registration Note: T-shirts are not guaranteed if registering after 3/25/25.
• Rules: Participants and spectators are subject to Title 36 rules and regulations.
• Pet Policy: No alcohol use on the premises: pets are not allowed to participate in the race.

Race Schedule

• Registration: Race Day Registration and packet pick-up from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
• Race Start: 5:30 PM
• Fun Run: To follow the completion of the 5K
• Awards: Starting at 6:30 PM

Awards

• Overall Winners: Fastest Overall Male and Female
• Age Group Awards: Fastest top three Male and Female 10 and under (Fun Run)
• Middle and High School: Fastest top three Male and Female Middle School and High School Students
• Adult Categories: Fastest Male and Female for age groups 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60+

Important Note

Please note, this race will not be professionally timed. We encourage all runners/walkers to keep track of their own time and use the race clock at the start/finish line. We will keep track of who crosses the finish line first for each age division for awards.

Race 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

Symbolism of the Floral Emblem

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 event page: Purple Up! 5K & Fun Run.