Proceeds benefit the Cardinals Care Redbird Rookies Program and the PGA REACH Gateway Foundation in honor of Ozzie Smith
Participants finish with a victory lap on the field at Busch
ST. LOUIS, Mo., February 15, 2023– Registration is now open for the 2023 Cardinals 5K, presented by Bally Sports Midwest. The 5K will be held both in person and virtually, allowing Cardinals fans around the world the opportunity to run, jog or walk on their own. All participants will receive an exclusive long-sleeve t-shirt, a commemorative medal that pays tribute to National Baseball Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith and the opportunity to take a victory lap on the warning track at Busch Stadium. Proceeds will benefit both the Cardinals Care Redbird Rookies Youth Softball and Baseball Program, which is celebrating its 20thuyear of operation and PGA REACH Gateway Foundation.
The in-person event is Saturday, April 22, 2023. Both Smith and six-time Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee will be on hand to officially start the race at 8:30 a.m. The course will begin on 8th Street near the Stan Musial Statue at Busch Stadium and continue through the streets of downtown St. Louis. Louis, terminating at Clark Street between Ballpark Village and Busch Stadium. From there, participants will have the opportunity to take a victory lap around the warning track inside Busch Stadium and enjoy a post-race party in the Busch II indoor arena at Ballpark Village.
“I am excited to join the Cardinals and Bally Sports Midwest to help raise funds for Cardinals Care and PGA Reach.” said Smith. “It's a privilege to be part of a team that is dedicated to supporting children here in our community.”
Those interested in participating can learn more and register at cardinals.com/5K.
About Cardinals Care
Cardinals Care was founded to give fans a way to partner with Cardinals players and the organization to help children in our community—both on and off the baseball field. Founded in 1997, Cardinals Care has invested more than $31 million to support St. Louis-area children, built or renovated 24 prom fields in under-resourced local neighborhoods, and has distributed more than $17 million in grants to nonprofit organizations . 2023 marks 20u anniversary of the groundbreaking Redbird Rookies program, a free baseball/softball league for kids who might not otherwise have the opportunity to play. In addition to providing all the uniforms, gloves, bats, balls and other equipment needed for each team, Redbird Rookies also provides extensive off-field support in the areas of health, education, coaching and cultural arts for each of the nearly 2,000 children participating in the program each year. To learn more about all of Cardinals Care's programs visit cardinals.com/community and follow @CardinalsCare on Twitter.
About the PGA REACH Gateway Foundation
Founded in 2007, the PGA REACH Gateway Foundation's mission is to inspire and direct the resources of the golf community to positively impact the lives of youth, military and diverse populations through the game of golf. We do this by providing access to PGA professionals and PGA facilities throughout East & Central Missouri and Central & Southern Illinois as a 501(c)(3) foundation. The establishment of the Foundation was intended to help attract a PGA Tour event that helped award the St. Louis the 100th PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club in 2018. From its roots in St. Louis, PGA REACH has since been adopted as the official non-profit arm of the PGA of America, impacting thousands of children and veterans across the United States each year. In addition to the St. Louis area programming, the PGA REACH Gateway Foundation has partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. further success in life through the game of golf. To learn more about PGA REACH, visit gatewaypga.org/pga-reach and follow @GatewayPGAREACH on Twitter.
