YWCA New Britain and CCSU announce ENOUGH! Race to End Violence to be held April 13th

YWCA New Britain’s Sexual Assault Crisis Service (SACS) has partnered with Central Connecticut State University and the Hartford Marathon Foundation to host the 3rd annual ENOUGH! Race to End Violence on April 13th, 2014.  The race will start at 10:000 a.m. with registration beginning at 9:00 a.m. on the Central Connecticut State University Campus. The event will feature a 5K and awards ceremony, live entertainment, activities, local businesses and vendors, and resources for those affected by violence.

YWCA New Britain has a long history of helping people who have been victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.  For Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, the YWCA hopes the race will raise public awareness and help to end sexual assault and all types of violence in a positive, healthy forum.  SACS director Fran Murphy says, “If you love to run and benefit a good cause at the same time, this is the race for you.  We welcome everyone to join us, and we hope everyone who has participated in the past will lace up their running shoes again this year.  This promises to be our best race yet!”

The race will feature a performance by Vanessa Stevens, a singer and songwriter whose journey of breaking the cycle of violence in her own life led her to create The Purple Song Project- an award-winning project that provides hope, healing and awareness, motivation, inspiration, and support for survivors of all types of violence, abuse, and trauma.

Other entertainment will include a performance by the YWCA School of Dance as they perform the flash mob dance number from the One Billion Rising campaign- a global call to women survivors of violence and those who love them to gather and break the silence through art, dance, and song. 

Last year’s race drew nearly 400 participants including many runners from the Boston Marathon.   2013 Boston Marathon runners as well as those running in this year’s Boston Marathon on April 21 are being offered $10 off their entry fee.  The YWCA is also offering entry fee discounts to early birds and students.  More information on these discounts is available on the registration website. 

The proceeds from the event will allow SACS to continue its important work of providing comfort and counseling to individuals affected by sexual assault and abuse in 46 towns within Hartford County, part of Tolland County, and Plymouth.  SACS’s mission is to eliminate sexual violence in our community through crisis intervention and public policy advocacy.  Advocates and volunteers answer hotline calls, work with law enforcement, and accompany survivors at local emergency rooms.