The Redbud Classic, Oklahoma City’s esteemed running and cycling tradition, will celebrate its 39th year of bringing fun, fitness and philanthropy to the community in 2022. Registration is now open for all Redbud events set for the weekend of Saturday, April 2, and Sunday, April 3, 2022.
Each year, the Redbud Foundation Board of Directors selects an Oklahoma City nonprofit organization with whom to partner and serve as the beneficiary of event proceeds. Annually, multiple agencies apply to the Redbud Classic as potential beneficiaries. The CARE Center, a nonprofit organization with a mission to prevent child abuse and provide opportunities for healing and hope for children in Oklahoma County, was selected to serve as the 2022 beneficiary.
“We are so excited to bring the tradition of fun, fitness and philanthropy to Oklahoma City once again, but more importantly, we look forward working with our community to support The CARE Center’s mission of putting an end to child abuse,” Redbud Classic Race Director Kristin Hersom said.
The CARE Center is Oklahoma County’s only child advocacy center and works to serve children who have experienced child abuse. In their commitment to help children, The CARE Center has two abuse prevention programs and focuses its efforts on developing an environment where children can begin to heal through holistic care.
“We are elated to have been chosen as Redbud’s beneficiary this year and look forward to our partnership as it will help us provide the services that children and families need to confront and overcome abuse and neglect,” CARE Center Director of Development & Communications Camden Ottaviani said.
The 2022 Redbud Classic features events for the whole family starting on Saturday, April 2, with 10- and 30-Mile Bike Tours, a 50-Mile Fondo and a 1-Mile Kids’ Fun Run, in addition to the inaugural 1-Mile Woof Walk. The events continue on Sunday, April 3, with 5K and 10K timed runs, 5K Wheelchair Event, 2-Mile Walk and 2-Mile Baby Stroller Derby.
New in 2022, the 1-Mile Woof Walk will take place immediately following the 1-Mile Kids’ Fun Run on Saturday, April 2. Registration costs $15 per dog and each owner will receive a medal along with a bandana for their pet. Dogs are required to be leashed at all times, with no retractable leashes allowed.
The Redbud Classic events continue past the finish line with the Redbud BASH. The BASH will be held Sunday, April 3, at 12 p.m. in the finish area at Nichols Hills Plaza. There will be a variety of food from some of Oklahoma’s premier food trucks, beverages from COOP Ale Works and other sponsors, free family-friendly games and activities, music and other entertainment.
Interested participants can register online. No in-person registration will be available. By registering early at redbud.org, participants are more likely to receive the lowest available registration prices, their choice of T-shirt size as well as a timing tag.