News Summary
The second annual Live Like Laken 5K will take place at Hobgood Park, honoring Laken Riley, a nursing student who was tragically murdered. This event promotes women’s safety and raises funds for the Laken Hope Foundation. Last year, the race attracted over 731 participants, and this year’s event will include a self-defense class alongside traditional activities. Registration fees are set at $35 before race day. The foundation aims to create awareness around women’s safety and support nursing students.
Woodstock, GA – The second annual Live Like Laken 5K is set to take place on Saturday at Hobgood Park, starting at 8 a.m. This event honors Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student who was tragically attacked and murdered while jogging on the University of Georgia’s campus last year. The race aims to promote women’s safety and raise funds for the Laken Hope Foundation.
Registration packets for the event became available at the Cherokee County recreation center on Thursday. Claudia Kennison, a member of the River Ridge cross country team, picked up 40 race packets, expressing her enthusiasm for participating as Laken was a former runner for the team. This year, the race is expected to attract a large crowd, following last year’s success, which brought in over 731 participants and raised more than $30,000 for the foundation.
Skyler Cox, a senior recreation coordinator in Cherokee County, is one of the key organizers of the Live Like Laken 5K. The funds raised from the event will support organizations that promote safety awareness for women and assist nursing students and children’s healthcare initiatives. Participants in this year’s race will receive t-shirts, bracelets, and pamphlets featuring safety tips for running solo.
The registration fees for the race are set at $35 if registered before race day and $40 on the morning of the event. Cox highlighted the importance of the 5K in celebrating Laken’s legacy and inspiring others to advocate for safety awareness. The Laken Hope Foundation’s mission not only focuses on promoting awareness regarding women’s safety but also includes preparing women for potential dangers in their daily lives.
Laken Riley’s murder has sparked a nationwide conversation about women’s safety, prompting various events across the country, including the Laken’s Legacy 5K, dedicated to honoring her memory. In addition to the race, this year’s event will feature a self-defense class led by experts, empowering participants with skills to protect themselves. The proceeds from the Live Like Laken 5K and similar events will further support the initiatives and programs of the Laken Hope Foundation.
The foundation is recognized for its commitment to fostering a safe environment for women while providing educational support to nursing students and healthcare initiatives that benefit children. The overwhelming community support for the Live Like Laken 5K highlights the collective effort to create awareness about safety and honor Laken Riley’s profound impact within her community.
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Additional Resources
- Atlanta News First
- Wikipedia: Women’s Safety
- WRDW
- Google Search: 5K run women’s safety
- 11 Alive News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Running (sport)
- WSB Radio
- Google News: Laken Riley
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
