The ninth annual Shade Tree Trot is set for Saturday, April 22, on the Vanderbilt campus.
Organizers are hoping to attract at least 800 participants for the 5K fun run/walk to raise money for the Shade Tree Clinic, which provides comprehensive primary care to more than 400 uninsured Middle-Tennessee residents at no cost. The clinic is a unique educational opportunity for medical, nursing, law and pharmacy students to learn how to deliver comprehensive care and address social determinants of health.
The Shade Tree Trot is the single largest source of funding for the student-run clinic. Last year’s Trot and benefit dinner raised $58,000. The students hope this year’s events can meet or exceed that result.
“The Trot represents a sustainable funding source that allows us to continue providing the high-quality care we provide at Shade Tree. It also represents a concrete way that the Vanderbilt and Nashville communities can get involved and allows us to build momentum around the work that we do,” said Vanderbilt University School of Medicine student Joey Starnes, co-director of the Shade Tree Clinic.
A new registration website, without processing fees, features a more streamlined process, registration prices that are $5 cheaper per registrant (in addition to the team and large group discounts) and partnerships with large local running clubs Nolensville Running Club and East Nasty to attract more runners to the event.
“We’ll also continue to provide a premium race experience for participants, including a certified course, live music, free race photos, use of the football stadium facilities — including real bathrooms — a bounce house for kids, face painting, balloon animals, free T-shirts, food trucks and a packet filled with enough goodies and coupons to more than offset the cost of registrations,” said event co-director Joey Elsakr.
Register online at https://vanderbilt.ejoinme.org/ShadeTreeTrot2017. Registration fees are $20 for students and $25 for non-students through March 31. From April 1 through April 22 (race day), registration is $30 for students and $35 for non-students.
Participants can pick up race packets on Friday, April 21, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. in the north lobby of Light Hall. Same day registration and packet pick-up begins at 6 a.m. Signature race-day T-shirts are given to all participants/donors.
The family-friendly, flat course will begin and end at the Vanderbilt Football Stadium at the corner of Jess Neely Drive and Natchez Trace.
